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UNIFORM   WITH  BEOWULF 


Done  into  English  in  the  Original  Measure  by 
CHARLES  SCOTT  MONCRIEFF 

With  an  Introduction  by  G.  K.  CHESTERTON  and  a  Note  on 
Technique  by  GEORGE  SAINTSBURY. 

(Second  Impression). 


SOME  CRITICAL  OPINIONS. 

Mr.  Frederic  Harrison,  in  The  Fortnightly  Review  :  "  I  take  a 
lively  interest  in  the  new  translation  of  the  grand  mediaeval  Epic 
— Chanson  de  Roland.  ...  It  is  a  bold  and  successful  venture. 
...  I  advise  all  who  care  for  mediaeval  history  and  for  primitive 
epics  to  study  the  original  side  by  side  with  Captain  Scott  Mon- 
crieff's  translation." 

Mr.  Edmund  Gosse,  C.B.,  in  The  Sunday  Times :  "  There 
have  in  the  past  been  made  efforts  to  render  the  Song  of  Roland 
into  English,  but  they  have  not  hitherto  been  very  successful.  .  .  . 
Captain  Scott  Moncrieffhas  approached  this  rough  epic  in  exactly 
the  right  spirit  ;  having  read  his  version  carefully,  and  having 
accustomed  my  ear  to  his  treatment  of  the  assonance,  I  feel  that 
his  success  is  very  considerable  indeed." 

Mr.  G.  K.  Chesterton  ("  At  the  Sign  of  the  World's  End  ")  in 
The  New  Witness  :  "  The  horn  of  Roland,  unlike  the  horns  of 
elfland,  really  does  roll  from  soul  to  soul,  and  grow  for  ever  and 
for  ever.  The  enthusiasm  of  a  rising  and  very  critical  critic  like 
Mr.  Scott  Moncrieff  is  a  type  of  its  renewal.  There  is  something 
of  immortal  moment  about  that  image  of  the  king  and  his  court 
riding  home  in  triumph,  and  hearing  from  the  dark  pass  behind 
them  the  dreadful  note  of  doom.  Indeed,  it  is  very  like  our  present 
position  ;  when  our  rulers  are  supposed  to  have  triumphed  and 
made  peace,  and  through  the  chorus  of  praise  come  wild  un 
accountable  voices  from  Poland  and  Italy,  and  the  intolerable 
irony  of  Ireland.  However  it  be  explained  or  applied,  there  re 
mains  arrested  for  ever  the  pageant  of  that  halted  march." 

Mr.  James  Douglas,  in  The  Star  and  in  The  Nottingham 
Journal :  "  The  war  has  bred  many  poets,  and  now  it  has  bestowed 
upon  us  a  noble  translation  of  a  noble  poem,  a  translation  which 
is  itself  a  fresh  grace  and  glory  of  our  English  tongue.  .  .  Know 
ing  nothing  of  the  Song,  as  I  read  this  translation  I  felt  like  Keats 


as  he  read  Chapman's  "  Homer."  It  was  like  a  door  opening  and 
letting  out  great  music.  .  .  .  Not  being  a  great  scholar  like  Pro 
fessor  Saintsbury,  I  can  bestow  on  this  translation  only  the  praise 
of  instinctive  delight  in  a  masterpiece  of  English — a  thing  com 
parable  with  FitzGerald's  "  Omar  "  or  Urquhart's  "  Rabelais."  It 
has  the  savour  of  genius  in  its  marvellous  resurrection  of  a  lost  time 
and  a  forgotten  faith.  ...  If  a  poetry  be  a  means  of  escape  from 
the  petty  dust  of  one's  environment,  surely  this  thing  is  a  libera 
tion  and  enlargement.  Our  day  will  pass,  and  men  will  see  the 
heroic  element  in  it  to  which  we  are  blind.  I  can  imagine  a  scholar 
a  hundred  years  hence  citing  this  translation  as  a  proof  that  our 
soldiers  were  heroical." 

Professor  Robert  Nichols,  in  The  Observer :  "So  adequate  is 
Captain  Scott  Moncrieff 's  translation  that  it  can  but  take  its  place 
with  the  classics  in  this  sort — with  Florio's  "  Montaigne,"  Fitz 
gerald's  "  Omar,"  Watts-cum-Pusey's  "  St.  Augustine,"  Urqu 
hart's  "  Rabelais,"  and  Burton's  "  Arabian  Nights."  The  work 
has  that  considerable  accuracy  with  the  maximum  of  the  original 
flavour  which  amounts  to  a  recreation,  and  which  alone  makes  a 
translation  worthy  of  the  text  translated.  Such  a  recreation  is  in 
all  cases  an  uncommon  feat ;  in  this  case  it  amounts  to  a  triumph." 

B.S.,  in  The  Manchester  Guardian :  "  There  are  other  trans 
lations  of  the  "  Chanson  de  Roland,"  of  course,  but  we  doubt  if 
they  have  been  widely  read.  The  virtue  of  Captain  Moncrieff's 
version  is  that  it  popularises  for  us  one  of  those  great  works 
literature  which  contain  and  summarise  an  epoch.  No  one  who 
once  fairly  begins  to  read  his  "  Song  of  Roland  "  will  want  to 
put  the  book  down  till  he  has  finished  it.  This  is  perhaps  the  most 
remarkable  aspect  of  a  very  remarkable  achievement." 

H.O.,  in  The  Athenaeum  :  "  Our  author  revels  in  the  battle- 
pieces,  the  vigour  of  which  has  surely  never  been  surpassed  ; 
can  be  tender  at  the  right  moment ;  nor  does  he  ever  miss  the 
spirit  of  pure  religious  faith  and  the  fervent  note  of  patriotism 
that  inform  the  whole." 

The  Tablet :  "We  feel  that  the  translation  will  prove  most 
useful  to  those  who  may  be  teaching  English  literature  or  history 
in  our  Catholic  schools.  .  .  .  The  Catholic  atmosphere  of  the 
poem,  its  Catholic  setting,  and  its  religious  feeling  can  be  grasped 
only  by  one  who  still  professes  the  same  faith." 

The  Christian  Science  Monitor  :  "  '  The  Song  of  Roland  '  is 
one  of  the  greatest  pagan  epics,  if  not  the  greatest,  in  the  world's 
literature.  It  is  full  of  every  splendid  nobleness  to  which  humanity 
is  heir,  except  that  particular  nobleness  which  was  taught  and 
practised  by  the  Founder  of  Christianity 

'  There  can  be  little  but  praise  for  the  way  in  which  Captain 
Scott  Moncrieff  has  carried  out  the  superlatively  difficult  task  of 
rendering  the  great  epic  into  English.  The  combination  of  rugged 
dignity  and  breathless  speed  which  is  characteristic  of  the  original 
has  been  reproduced  with  astonishing  success." 


The  Saturday  Westminster  Gazette :  "  We  cannot  commend 
the  experiment.  .  .  .  The  book  is  the  most  literal  translation 
that  we  know.  It  is  not  poetry." 

The  Pall  Mall  Gazette  :  "  The  experiment,  we  think,  is  a  real 
success.  It  is  only  a  true  craftsman  who  can  handle  such  a  thing 
and  be  judged  not  to  have  dimmed  its  brightness." 

The  Liverpool  Post :  "  The  reviewer's  first  feeling  was  one  of 
vain  regret — '  How  useful  this  might  have  been  to  me  once  !  ' 
And  one  still  feels  .  .  .  that  the  work  will  prove  mainly  useful 
for  educational  purposes,  or,  if  one  prefers  to  put  it  so,  as  an 
undergraduate's  crib." 

The  Times  Literary  Supplement :  "  '  The  Chanson  de  Roland  ' 
is  '  abrupt  and  barbarous  ' ;  if  its  effect  as  a  poem  is  to  be  felt  in 
English  the  translation,  while  keeping  faithfully  to  the  meaning, 
must  reproduce  the  abruptness  and  barbarity  of  the  French 
laisses.  That  is  what  Mr.  Moncrieff,  unlike  the  other  translators 
of  this  poem,  has  done.  .  .  . 

"  The  enthusiasm,  the  flash  of  one  poet  catching  almost  in 
tuitively  the  emotion  of  another  long  dead,  the  thrill  of  reading 
an  intelligent  transcript  of  a  great  poem — these  are  the  valuable 
things  in  this  book." 

The  Morning  Post :  "  We  took  up  this  volume  with  a  certain 
sense  of  disappointment.  It  seemed  to  us  that  Captain  Scott 
Moncrieff  might  have  given  us  a  more  modern  epic  .  .  .  not  of 
Roland,  but  of  Tommy  Atkins.  But  our  ingratitude  was  short 
lived.  .  .  . 

"  This  Song  not  only  sings  of  triumph,  but  is  in  itself  a  wonder 
ful  triumph  for  our  mother  tongue." 

The  Glasgow  Herald :  "  The  blessing  of  Mr.  Saintsbury  .  .  . 
should  suffice  the  most  scholarly.  For  ourselves,  we  can  imagine 
no  finer  gift  for  the  right  kind  of  boy.  Every  noble  element  of 
romance  leaps  into  life  in  the  tale  of  the  fight  and  the  horn-blow 
ing,  and  no  braver  teaching  will  be  found  in  mortal  story  than  in 
the  last  meeting  of  Roland  and  Oliver." 

"  Peter  Bell,"  in  Land  and  Water :  "  To  have  translated  this 
work  is  to  have  performed  a  service  to  English  readers  ;  and  to 
have  translated  it  in  the  original  measure  with  so  much  success 
as  here  is  to  have  achieved  a  notable  feat  of  dexterity." 

Country  Life  :  "  Captain  Scott  Moncrieff  writes  from  the  very 
heart  and  centre  of  his  theme.  .  .  .'  A  version  done  divinely 
well  '  we  may  surely  call  this,  in  the  words  that  Tennyson  applied 
to  Fitzgerald's'  Omar.' ' 

The  Nation :  "  Captain  Moncrieff  met  the  '  Chanson  de 
Roland  '  by  accident,  but  it  was  really  a  pre- determined  con 
junction  of  affinities,  a  translator's  Roland  for  the  original's 
Oliver,  so  wonderfully  do  these  twin  literary  spirits  match  each 
other.  That  explains  the  translator's  '  word  for  word  ' ;  he  had 
no  other  alternative,  but  we  can  imagine  what  a  hash  of  it  an 
equally  gifted  man  of  letters — who  was  not  Captain  Moncrieff 


— would  have  made  of  it.  As  it  is,  we  have  the  singular  and  indeed 
unique  pleasure  of  reading  this  grand  old  epic  not  so  very  differ 
ently  as  its  contemporaries  heard  it  sung  to  them  by  the  jongleurs. 

"  It  is  indeed  good  work,  rough  as  an  uncut  diamond,  but  full 
of  pathos  and  fierce  power." 

The  Cambridge  Magazine  (largest  circulation  of  any  University 
Weekly  in  Great  Britain) :  "  Warriors  have,  as  a  rule,  expressed 
such  a  horror  of  war  poems  !  " 

John  O'London's  Weekly  :  "  Fame  is  a  queer  thing." 

The  London  Mercury  (in  a  review  of  four  pages)  :  "  Epics  need 
so  many  particular  and  favourable  circumstances  for  their  pro 
duction  that  they  are  scarce  and  highly  individual,  and  every 
literature  ought  to  have  a  sufficient  rendering  of  each  of  them. 
Mr.  Scott  Moncrieff  .  .  .  has  produced  a  fine  original  English 
poem,  and  one  can  safely  assert  that  he  has  also  reproduced  the 
spirit  of  the  original,  because  the  poem's  characteristics  which  he 
derives  from  the  original,  the  social  system  implied,  the  psych 
ology  and  general  treatment  harmonise  excellently  with  the 
characteristics  which  are  due  to  himself,  namely,  the  spirit  and 
dress  of  the  verse  which  he  has  employed. 

"  Mr.  Moncrieff  proposes,  by  using  M.  Leon  Gautier's  final 
edition  of  the  '  Song  of  Roland,'  to  increase  the  poem  by  some 
four  hundred  lines.  We  regret  this,  though  we  admire  his  courage 
and  his  loyalty  to  his  original. 

The  Count  Rollanz  has  never  loved  cowards, 
Nor  arrogant,  nor  men  of  evil  heart, 
Nor  chevalier  that  was  not  good  vassal. 
Surely  he  would  love  Mr.  Moncrieff." 

The  Outlook  :  "In  his  translation  of  '  The  Song  of  Roland/ 
Captain  Scott  Moncrieff  has  given  us  many  good  gifts  above  and 
beyond  the  superb  quality  of  the  translation  itself.  One  of  these, 
and  we  confess  to  finding  it  singularly  touching,  is  the  quiet 
description  of  how  the  work  came  to  be  done.  .  .  .  Another 
good  gift  is  G.  K.  Chesterton's  introduction,  which  will  always 
remain  one  of  the  small  perfect  essays  in  the  language.  .  .  .  Then 
we  have  George  Saintsbury's  Note  on  Technique. 

"  Captain  Scott  Moncrieff  .  .  .  can  write  on  an  individual 
note  if  ever  a  writer  could  ;  but  we  owe  an  eternal  debt  of  grati 
tude  to  him  that  he  has  been  entirely  concerned  with  the  '  Song 
of  Roland  '  and  not  at  all  with  the  song  of  Captain  Scott  Moncrieff." 

"  Mr.  Belloc,  lecturing  on  '  The  Song  of  Roland,'  in  Glasgow, 
paid  a  high  compliment  to  the  recent  translation  by  Captain  Scott 
Moncrieff,  who,  he  said,  followed  the  literary  meaning  and  diction, 
type  of  assonance  and  metre  of  the  original . "  ( The  Glasgow  Herald, 
March  i,  1920). 

Mr.  Masefield,  lecturing  on  "  The  Song  of  Roland  "in  London 
said  he  did  not  think  it  was  possible  to  translate  "  The  Song  of 
Roland." 

The  Scotsman,  December  8,  1919  :  "  There  is  no  more  to  say." 


Widsith 

BEOWULF 

Finnaburgh » Waldcrc » Deor 


Widsith 

BEOWULF 

Finnsburgh  *  Waldere  *  Deor 

Done  into  common  English 
after  the  old  manner 

by 
CHARLES  SCOTT  MONCRIEFF 

With  an  Introduction  by 
VISCOUNT  NORTHCLIFFE 


a 

LONDON : 

CHAPMAN  &  HALL,  LTD. 
MCMXXI 


THE  WESTMINSTER  PRESS 

HARROW  ROAD 

LONDON 


IS 


Contents 

Page 

Introduction  X11 

Translator's  Preface 

Dedication  XXU 

Arguments  of  the  Poems  X1X 

Widsith 

Beowulf 

Finnsburgh  IO5 

Waldere  IO7 

Deor  I09 

Notes  ll1 


Introduction 

IT  is  characteristic  of  the  modesty  of  the  English 
people  that  our  oldest  epic,  or,  rather,  the  one 
Old  English  epic  that  has  survived,  should 
contain  not  a  word  about  England.  Indeed,  the 
greater  part  of  its  story  takes  place  in  the  country 
of  the  Danes,  who  had  been  England's  most  cruel 
and  destructive  enemies  for  some  two  centuries 
before  the  existing  manuscript  of  Beowulf  was 
written.  So,  too,  in  a  later  age,  when  our  drama 
came  to  be  written,  pride  of  place  was  given  to, 
and  has  since  been  held  by,  the  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 
Prince  of  Denmark.  But  the  preservation  of  Beo 
wulf  as  an  English  epic  is  justified  by  the  embodi 
ment  in  its  hero  of  many  traits  of  character  which 
we  are  still  proud  to  recognise  among  our  fellow- 
countrymen.  Higher  criticism  may  reduce  Grendel 
and  his  mother  to  the  symbolical  dimensions  of 
epidemics,  due  to  an  over-populated  settlement 
on  the  marshy  and  misty  shore  of  a  tideless  sea  ; 
but  the  courage  of  the  young  captain  and  his 
small  company,  facing  unknown  perils  in  a  foreign 
country,  and  the  renewed  courage  of  the  veteran, 
after  more  than  a  generation  of  peaceful  govern 
ment,  arming  himself  to  fight  and  die  alone  in  the 
defence  of  his  people,  are  facts  with  which,  hap 
pily,  we  are  still  familiar. 

How  many  thousand  Beowulfs  have  we  not 
sent  out  in  the  last  seven  years  from  these  islands 
to  face  subtleties  of  horror  as  incredible  as  Grendel, 
fire  as  scathing  as  the  Worm's,  sea-monsters 
against  which  no  armament  was  proof  ?  Some 
have  come  back  in  triumph  ;  others,  like  Hond- 
scio  and  Aeschere,  have  fallen,  mangled  and 
murdered,  whose  fame  is  preserved  only  in 
memory  for  so  long  as  their  friends  survive  them. 

vii 


Some,  like  Beowulf  in  his  youth,  had  no  good 
said  of  them,  were  accounted  of  little  worth  by 
the  captains  of  warriors,  who  "  shrewdly  reckoned 
that  slack  they  were."  Yet  to  them,  as  to  Beowulf, 
"  atonement  came  for  all  their  troubles." 

Perhaps  it  would  be  better  to  sing  the  troubles 
and  triumphs  of  even  one  of  these,  our  contem 
poraries,  than  to  revive  a  momentary  interest  in 
an  old  and  harshly  worded  poem  from  a  forgotten 
dialect.  But  I  welcome  this  version  of  Beowulf 
because  I  find  in  its  hero  what  I  lament  in  count 
less  men  who  have  fallen  in  the  field,  simple  cour 
age,  untiring  endurance,  stainless  honour. 

NORTHCLIFFE. 


Translator's  Preface 

IT  is  as  difficult  to  find  an  excuse  for  adding 
to  what  Mr.  Wyatt,  in  his  admirable  Anglo- 
Saxon  Reader*  describes  as  "  a  whole  library 
of  books  dealing  with  Beowulf"  as  it  is  rash  for  a 
young  adventurer  to  challenge  so  powerful  a 
competitor  (to  name  no  others)  as  William  Morris. 
But  this  translation  follows  logically  after  that 
of  the  Chanson  de  Roland,  which  I  have  already 
published,  and  was  inspired  by  the  suggestion 
that  I  should  attempt  to  do  for  the  English  epic 
what  I  had  done  for  the  French  .f 

So  many  slighting  references  have  been  made 
to  Beowulf  and  its  admirers  lately,  in  the  press  of 
this  country,  that  I  am  obliged  to  conclude  that  a 
considerable  interest,  one  way  and  the  other,  is 
felt  in  the  poem,  even  by  some  of  the  many  critics 
who  have  never  read  it.  As  I  said  in  my  former 
volume,  this  "  is  not  a  work  of  scholarship,  nor 
yet  of  imagination  "  ;  but  I  hope  that  it  may 
prove  useful  to  a  few  of  the  hundreds  of  students 
who  have  to  acquire  some  knowledge  of  the  original 
in  order  to  graduate  in  English  Literature  in  our 
various  Universities,  and  that,  at  the  same  time, 
it  may  interest  others  who  are  compelled  and 
content  to  remain  in  ignorance  of  the  austere 
beauties  of  the  Old  English  language. 

The  history  of  the  poem  is  fairly  well  known  ; 
it  seems  to  have  been  composed,  in  the  Anglian 
dialect,  about  the  year  700,  nearly  a  century  be 
fore,  in  Beorhtric's  day,  as  the  Chronicle  tells 
us,J  "  came  the  first  three  ships,  and  the  reeve 

*  Cambridge  University  Press,  1919. 

f  For,  as  is  well-known, 

Ne  sont  que  trois  matieres  a  nul  home  attendant, 
De  France  et  de  Bretaigne  et  de  Rome  la  grant. 

£  Anglo-Saxon  Chronicle,  year  787. 

ix 


rode  thereto,  and  would  drive  them  to  that  King's 
town  because  he  knew  not  what  they  were  ;  and 
one  slew  him.  Those  were  the  first  ships  of  Danish 
men  that  sought  the  land  of  the  Angle-kin."  About 
the  end  of  the  tenth  century,  when  the  Danish 
men  were  again  harrying  England,  two  nameless 
scribes  copied  for  us,  in  the  dialect  of  Wessex, 
the  one  manuscript  of  Beowulf  which  has  sur 
vived.  From  that  time  it  must  have  remained  in 
its  monastic  library,  unread  and  increasingly 
unintelligible,  until,  after  the  Dissolution,  it 
passed  into  the  collection  of  Sir  Robert  Bruce 
Cotton,  now  absorbed  in  the  library  of  the  British 
Museum.  Here  it  was  discovered  in  1700  by 
Humfrey  Wanley,  who  describes  it  in  his  cata 
logue  as  "  Tractatus  nobilissimus  poetice  scrip- 
tus,"  in  which  there  seemed  to  be,  for  he  could 
not  have  translated  it,  "  descripta  bella  quae 
Beowulfus,  quidam  Danus  ex  regio  Scyldingorum 
•stirpe  ortus,  gessit  contra  Sueciae  Regulos."  In 
1731  a  great  part  of  the  Cottonian  library  was 
destroyed  by  a  fire  at  Ashburnham  House  in 
Westminster,  in  which  the  Government  had 
recently  placed  it  for  safety.  The  volume,  Vitellius 
A  15,  in  which  Beowulf  is  bound,  escaped  with 
serious  injury.  In  1786  Thorkelin  of  Copenhagen 
transcribed  the  manuscript,  for  the  second  time, 
perhaps,  since  his  Danish  ancestors  came  to 
England  exactly  a  thousand  years  earlier  ;  by  a 
belated  act  of  retaliation  the  materials  for  his 
edition  were  destroyed  by  an  English  fleet,  in  the 
bombardment  of  Copenhagen,  and  Beowulf  did 
not  appear  in  print  until  1815.  Finally,  in  1882, 
an  autotype  facsimile  was  prepared  for  the  Early 
English  Text  Society,  with  a  literal  transcription, 
by  Professor  Zupitza,  while  a  more  accessible  text 
is  that  edited  by  Messrs.  A.  J.  Wyatt  and  R.  W. 
Chambers,  and  published  by  the  Cambridge 
University  Press  in  1914. 

In    the    manuscript    the     poem    is     written 


continuously,  as  it  were  prose,  but  in  forty-three 
divisions,  forty  of  which  are  headed  with  num 
bers.  The  opening  lines  bear  no  number  ;  then 
come  twenty-eight  divisions  of  about  seventy 
lines  each,  numbered  I  to  XXVIII.  The  next 
gap,  after  line  2038,  and  in  the  middle  of  a  sent 
ence,  has  no  number ;  then  come  XXXI  to 
XXXVIII,  one  more  unnumbered,  and  XL  to 
XLIII.  These  divisions  do  not  at  all  correspond 
to  the  natural  breaks  in  the  poem. 

The  story  opens  as  though  it  were  intended  to 
be  in  praise  of  another  Beowulf,  the  son  of  Shield 
of  the  Sheaf,  and  an  ancestral  King  of  the  Danes 
or  Shieldings.  To  Shield  is  ascribed  the  mythical 
origin,  as  a  child  sent  forth  alone  in  a  boat  from 
an  unknown  haven,  which  later  Chroniclers 
gave  to  a  certain  Sheaf,  who,  by  another  story, 
was  born  in  the  Ark,  the  son  of  Noah.  But  at  the 
hundredth  line  the  tone  of  the  poem  changes  ; 
the  Danish  Beowulf  has  flourished  and  died. 
Hrothgar,his  grandson,  having  at  length  succeeded, 
orders  a  hall  to  be  built  him,  the  mightiest 
on  earth,  and  calls  its  name  Heorot,  or  Hart. 
While  he  is  feasting  with  his  court,  Grendel,  a 
monster  from  the  fens  and  moors,  descended 
from  the  exiled  offspring  of  Cain,  invades  Heorot, 
and  snatches  from  it  thirty  of  Hrothgar's  thegns  ; 
the  court  is  scattered  in  terror,  and  for  twelve 
years  the  hall  remains  deserted. 

It  will  be  seen  that  the  Danes,  whose  prowess 
is  so  extravagantly  lauded  in  the  opening  lines, 
have  already  ceased  to  be  the  heroes  of  the  story. 
In  line  194  we  first  hear  of  "  Higelac's  thegn," 
in  line  262  he  tells  us  that  he  is  the  son  of  Ecgtheow, 
and  in  line  343  he  names  himself  to  the  Danes  as 
Beowulf  ;  henceforward  the  story  is  of  him.  Beo 
wulf,  like  Roland  and  a  hundred  other  heroes  of 
epic  and  romance,  was  the  son  of  his  sovereign's 
sister ;  and  Beowulf's  uncle,  like  Roland's,  has 
a  place  in  history,  for  the  Higelac  who  invaded 


the  Frisian  land,  who  there  "  swallowed  the  sword- 
drink,"  whose  life  lay  in  the  Franks'  keeping,  can  be 
identified  with  the  Chocilaicus  mentioned  in  the 
Gesta  Regum  Francorum  of  Gregory  of  Tours,  who 
was  killed  by  the  Frankish  Prince  Theodebert,  son 
of  Theodoricthe  son  of  Clovis,  in  the  second  decade 
of  the  sixth  century.  So  also  Hrothgar  is  the  Roe,  son 
of  Haldanus,  who  figures  in  Saxo  Grammaticus  as  a 
King  of  Denmark  and  the  founder  of  Roskilde. 


II 

With  Beowulf  I  have  included  two  short  poems 
and  two  epic  fragments,  everything  of  the  kind 
which  has  survived  in  our  language.  Widsith  may 
serve  as  an  introduction  to  the  rest,  but  a  volume 
stouter  than  this  would  be  required  for  the  proper 
annotation  of  Widsith  alone.  The  curious  reader 
may  turn  to  the  fascinating  work  of  Mr.  Cham 
bers,*  and  will  find  there  a  wealth  of  information 
on  the  history  and  mythology  of  the  tribes  and 
heroes  mentioned  in  the  poem.  Widsith,  like 
Deory  is  found  in  the  Exeter  Book,  a  collection  of 
Old  English  poetry  made  about  the  same  time  as 
the  manuscript  of  Beowulf,  and  presented  to  the 
Cathedral  of  Exeter  by  its  first  Bishop,  Leofric, 
who  removed  his  See  there  from  Crediton  in 
1050.  Its  own  date  is  less  easily  determined,  as  the 
hero  claims  to  have  visited  historical  Kings  whose 
reigns  extended  over  more  than  two  centuries, 
while  references  to  Syrians  and  Israelites,  Assyr 
ians  and  Hebrews  point  to  interpolation  by  a  later, 
probably  monastic,  scribe ;  but  the  bulk  of  the 
poem  must  have  been  composed  not  much  earlier, 
and  probably  not  much  later,  than  the  year  600. 
It  might  well  be  called  the  Lay  of  the  First  Minstrel, 

*  Widsith,  a  Study  in  Old  English  Heroic  Legend,  by  R. 
W.  Chambers,  Cambridge  University  Press,  1912. 


XII 


as  it  is  our  oldest  record  of  that  noble  tradition 
of  which  Scott  celebrated  the  decline.* 

If  Widsith  is  an  extremely  condensed  "  narrative 
poem,"  Deor  is  in  every  sense  a  lyric.  Mr.  Wyatt 
compares  it  aptly  to  a  ballade  by  Villon.  Its  con 
struction  in  stanzas  is  deliberate,  and  is  marked 
by  the  regular  refrain.  It  is  a  plaintive,  but  philo 
sophical  statement  of  a  poet's  misfortunes,  who 
is  consoled  by  the  reflection  that  greater  than  he 
have  suffered  also. 

The  short  fragments  of  Finnsburgh  and  Waldere 
are  long  enough  to  shew  what  we  have  lost  by  the 
destruction  of  an  epic  literature,  of  which  Beowulf 
alone  survives.  The  forty-eight  lines  of  Finns- 
burgh  were  found  on  a  leaf  of  parchment  in  the 
library  of  Lambeth  Palace,  by  Dr.  George  Hickes, 
the  Non-Juror  Dean  of  Worcester,  for  whom 
Humfrey  Wanley  made  his  catalogue.  Later,  this 
leaf  disappeared,  when  the  volume  whose  wrapper 
it  had  become  was  sent  to  a  binder,  and  the  sole 
extant  authority  for  the  fragment  is  the  text 
printed  by  Hickes  in  1705  in  his  Linguarum  Veter- 
um  Septentrionalium  Thesaurus.  Apart  from  its 
evident  merit  as  a  battle-song,  the  fragment  is  of 
great  interest  as  corroborating  the  longest  of  the 
lays  in  Beowulf y  the  song  of  Finn  and  Hildeburh 
sung  by  Hrothgar's  bard  on  the  mead-bench  after 
the  discomfiture  of  Grendel.f 

The  two  fragments  called  Waldere  were  dis 
covered  in  1860  by  the  Royal  Librarian  at  Copen 
hagen,  among  the  papers  left  by  Thorkelin,  the 
first  editor  of  Beowulf.  They  are  part  of  an  epic, 
the  story  of  which  is  preserved  in  the  Latin  Wai- 
tharius  Manufortis  of  Ekkehard  of  St.  Gall,  and 
has  been  well  summarised  by  Mr.  Wyatt  in  his 

f "  Within  the  memory  of  man,  an  old  person  used  to 
perambulate  the  streets  of  Edinburgh,  singing,  in  a  monotonous 
cadence,  the  tale  of  Rosewal  and  Lilian." 

Scott,  Sir  Tristrem  (1804). 

*  Beowulf,  lines  1068  to  1159. 


xin 


Anglo-Saxon  Reader,  from  which  I  quote  :  "  Walter 
of  Aquitaine,  Hildegund  of  the  Burgundians, 
his  betrothed,  and  Hagen  of  the  Franks  were 
taken  as  hostages  by  Attila  and  nobly  reared  at  his 
court.  But  in  course  of  time  Hagen  escaped.  So, 
later,  did  the  lovers,  taking  with  them  much 
treasure,  When  they  reached  the  Vosges,  they 
were  attacked  by  the  Prankish  King  Gunther  and 
twelve  warriors,  including  Hagen,  Walter's  frater 
juratus  eleven  warriors  were  slain  by  Walter  in 
the  rocky  pass,  which  was  worth  an  army  to  him  ; 
then  Gunther  and  Hagen  withdrew  and  hid  them 
selves.  Their  ruse  succeeded  ;  next  day  the  lovers 
continued  their  journey,  and  were  overtaken  in 
the  plain  by  their  two  foes.  Walter's  appeal  to 
friendship  is  in  vain,  for  Hagen  has  now  a  sister's 
son  to  avenge.  After  hours  of  fighting,  one  against 
two,  the  hero  is  still  unconquered  ;  he  has  lost 
his  right  hand,  Hagen  an  eye,  and  Gunther  a  leg, 
and  in  this  condition  they  make  peace,  and  jest 
while  Hildegund  serves  them  with  wine."  In  Old 
English  Walter  becomes  Waldere,  Hildegund 
Hildegyth,  Gunther  Guthhere  (the  same  who  gave 
a  gladsome  jewel  to  Widsith),  and  Hagen  Hagena. 


Ill 

With  my  versification,  prosodists  are  at  liberty 
to  find  what  fault  they  will.  Old  English  poetry 
was  composed  not  for  the  librarian  but  for  the 
harpist,  and  if  these  versions  of  mine  can  be 
shouted  aloud  to  the  harp  or  its  equivalent,  so 
much  the  better.  Apart  from  that,  I  have  attempted 
to  make  the  sort  of  lines  that  an  Englishman  of 
the  Heptarchy  would  recognise  as  metrical, 
though  he  might  feel  obliged  to  improve  them  in 
a  hundred  ways.  The  first  difficulty  in  translating 
Old  English  is  presented  by  its  curiously  primi 
tive  syntax  ;  if  this  be  retained,  the  effect  is  tedious 

xiv 


and  unreadable  ;  if  it  be  too  much  amended  the 
original  form  is  destroyed.  Another  difficulty  is 
the  loss  from  our  speech  of  many  excellent  words 
in  which  the  old  poets  found  synonyms  for  the 
things  they  most  commonly  described,  such  as 
war,  battle,  army,  soldier,  sword,  and,  above  all, 
the  sea.  A  third  comes  from  our  having  dropped 
the  inflections  from  our  words,  so  that  what  in 
the  original  was  a  trochee,  with  its  proper  rhyth 
mical  force,  becomes  a  dull  and  unwieldy  mono 
syllable.  Yet  another  is  the  apparent  loss  of  alliter 
ative  value  in  words  whose  initials  have  changed. 
I  have  escaped  this  by  sometimes  alliterating  g 
with  y  where  the  latter  (as  in  ye,  youth,  etc.)  repre 
sents  an  Old  English  g,  and  by  alliterating  /,  n,  r 
and  w  with  h  and  with  each  other  when  the  Old 
English  initial  is  aspirated,  hi,  hn,  hr,  or  hw.  A 
more  difficult  thing  is  the  alliteration  of  com 
pound  and  prefixed  words,  in  which  it  has  been 
impossible  to  follow  consistently  the  rules  observed 
in  the  surviving  corpus — some  thirty  thousand 
lines — of  pre-Conquest  verse.  Scholars,  I  repeat, 
are  at  liberty  to  condemn  both  my  metre  and  my 
alliteration,  provided  that  they  shew  me  how 
both  may  be  improved.  The  general  reader  must 
be  content  with  my  assurance  that  what  follows 
is  a  fair  imitation  of  Old  English  Poetry,  the  chief 
rules  of  which  are  as  follows  : 

The  line  consists  of  two  metrically  equivalent 
halves,  separated  in  this  volume  by  an  oblique 
stroke  (/).  In  each  half  there  are  normally  two* 
accented  syllables,  and  at  least  one  accented  syllable 
in  the  first  half-line  is  alliterated  with  one  in  the 
second.  All  four  syllables  may  be  alliterated,  or 
any  three  ;  or  there  may  be  double  alliterations — 

*  Lines  with  three  accented  syllables  in  each  half  are  rare 
in  Beowulf.  Examples  are  1162-8,  1705-7,  and  there  is 
elsewhere  a  tendency  to  associate  a  third  word  with  the  two 
most  strongly  accented  in  each  half-line.  Typical  examples  of 
the  lengthened  line  will  be  found  in  Judith. 


xv 


ab/  ab,  orab  /  ba.  For  alliteration,  all  initial  vowels 
are  reckoned  the  same,  as  are  all  aspirated  vowels  and 
consonants  —  ha,  he,  hi,  hi,  hn,  ho,  hr,  hu,  and  hw* 

To  illustrate  this  I  print  the  opening  lines  of 
Beowulf  in  their  original  form,  substituting  th  for 
the  old  compound  letter,  and  printing  the  accented 
initials  in  italics  : 

Hwaet  !  we  Gar-Dena  /  in  ^ear-^agum 
Z/zeod-cyninga  /  Z/zrym  ge/runon, 
hu  tha  #  tfthelmgas  /  tfllen  /remedon  . 
Oft  Scyld  Peering  /  sceathena  zAreatum, 
jwonegum  waegthum  /  wzeodo-setla  ofreah. 
.Egsode  eorl,  /  syththan  arrest  Dearth 
/ea-sceaft  /unden  ;  /  he  thaes  /rofre  geiad, 
«;eox  under  wolcnum,  /  weorth-myndum 
oth  thaet  /nm  aeghwylc  /  thara  jymb-sittendra 
ofer  hron-rade  /  hyran  rcolde, 
^omban  ^yldan  ;  /  thaet  waes  £od 


IV 

I  have  to  acknowledge  the  kindness  and  the 
candour  of  several  critics  who  have  allowed  them 
selves  to  be  burdened  with  parts  of  this  book  in 
manuscript  ;  Professor  Blyth  Webster,  to  whom 
I  owe  any  knowledge  I  may  have  acquired  of  Old 
English  ;  Professor  Ker,  whose  warning  I  ought 
to  have  taken  ;  Mr.  J.  C.  Squire,  who  allowed  me 
to  reprint  the  Dedication  from  his  London  Mer 
cury  ;  Mr.  J.  E.  Gurdon,  who  seemed  to  think 
the  poem  worth  reading  ;  Mr.  Arthur  Waugh, 
who  has  thought  it  worth  publishing  ;  and,  above 
all  and  beyond  all,  Lord  NorthclifTe. 

London,  CHARLES  SCOTT  MONCRIEFF. 

March,  1921. 

f  Of  the  words  in  Beowulf  beginning  with  aspirated  con 
sonants  the  commonest  are  hladan  to  load,  hlaew  a  law  or 
burial-mound,  hlajord  a  lord,  hleahtor  laughter,  hlud  loud, 
hnah  niggard,  hrefn  raven,  hreoh  rough,  hring  ring,  hrof  roof, 
hron  whale,  hrycg  ridge,  hwa  hzcaet  who  what,  hwaer  where, 
and  such  words  as  now  begin  wh,  except  wiht  a  whit. 

xvi 


Dedication 

TO 

RICHARD   REYNOLDS   BALL, 

WHO,   LIKE   BEOWULF, 

TRAVELLED   FEARLESSLY   IN 

A  FAR   COUNTRY,   RISKING 

HIS   LIFE  TO   HELP    THE 

VICTIMS   OF   WAR  AND 

OPPRESSION, 
UNTIL   HE  DIED 

IN  POLAND 

IN   DECEMBER,    1919. 

AND   TO   TWO   OTHERS, 

HIS  FRIENDS   AND   MINE, 

WHO   HAVE  FOLLOWED 
FROM   MY   WORLD   TO   HIS  : 

JOHN  SCOTT  MONCRIEFF 
GLADYS    DALYELL 

What !  My  loved  companion,  /  in  coldness  liest  thou, 
Finished  with  life,  /  in  a  land  afar  ? 
From  friends  divided,  /  to  death  forsaken, 
Farest  thou  alone  /  on  Fate's  errand, 
The  way  of  the  world  when  /  by  the  Will  of  God 
Goeth  to  Him  again  /  the  gift  He  hath  given, 
His  loan  of  life.  /  No  less  I  mourn  thee 
Than  did  I  those  /  whom  Death  went  thieving, 
Willing  youths  /  in  the  years  of  war, 
Our  friends  and  our  fellows,  /  though  fain  was  I 
of  them 

xvii 


When  keenly   I   bewailed  /  my  battle-comrades, 
Finding  them  murdered  /  upon  many  fields. 
When  a  little  knave  I  was  /  knew  I  thee  first 
Since  before  me  thou  /  wast  born  among  men, 
An  elder  friend  /  to  those  following  after. 
For  thou  wast  living  /  thirty  years  long, 
Summers  and  winters,  /  ere  war  us  sundered, 
Friend  from  friend,  /  and  four  years  following 
Busily  kept  me  /  among  killing  banes. 
Then  thou  wast  with  foreign  races,  / 

Russ-men  and  Frenchmen, 
Serbs  and  Poles,  /  in  the  passing  seasons, 
Six  winter-tides,  /  while  the  tale  of  war 
Pressed  to  an  end  ;  /  peace  came  after, 
Prosperity  promised  /  to  the  peoples  on  earth, 
Welfare  after  warfare.  /  Would  they  then  readily 
Wind  away,  /  the  warriors  mostly, 
A  straggling  few  /  of  the  fierce  strugglers 
Who  out  of  the  battle  /  had  borne  them  alive. 
But  thou  wast  for  returning  /  whither  trouble  waited , 
Famine  and  fever  /  among  friendless  folk. 
Nor  was  it  any  time  then  till  /  must  taste  thou  also 
The  dreary  cup  /  that  Christ  erst  drank, 
Sad  in  soul,  /  the  Sinners'  Shepherd, 
The  Holy  Lord,  /  whose  Heart  ever  loveth  us, 
The  Son  of  God  /  in  the  Garden  of  Sorrows, 
On  the  eve  of  Death.  /  Even  so  didst  thou  also, 
By  fever  fated.  /  Freely  everywhere  wentest  thou, 
Shooting  not  at  enemies,  /  armed  with  no  shield 
Against  threats  /  of  evil-thinkers, 
But  smiling  at  terrors,  /  true  and  simple, 
Diedst  thou  as  thou  hadst  lived,  /  dutifully. 
Nor  have  I  heard  of  a  man  /  having  mo  re  of  happiness, 
Stronger  and  kinder  /  to  kinsmen  and  strangers, 
A  warden  of  the  wretched.  /  Will  they  easily 
Bear  in  mind,  /  who  may  hereafter  be  born, 
The  English  friend  /  of  their  fathers  of  old, 


XVI 11 


Who  helped  them  in  need,  /  and  held  back  nothing, 

Gave  his  life  /  for  the  love  of  God. 

They  will  say  that  of  men  /  in  mind  and  soul 

He  excelled  others  /  among  all  peoples, 

In  mood  the  mildest,  /  in  mercy  and  pity 

Best  beloved,  /  most  beautiful  to  remember 

In  the  days  /  of  this  our  life. 

June,  1920.  C.  K.  S.  M. 


XIX 


Arguments  of  the  Poems 

Widsith 

Widsith,  a  wandering  poet  of  the  Myrging  tribe,  speaks. 
He  tells  of  the  lands  he  has  seen  and  the  Kings  who  ruled 
in  them,  and  especially  of  Eormanric,  who  gave  him  treas 
ure,  and  of  Eadgils,  his  own  King,  who  gave  him  his  father's 
heritage.  Such  is  the  fortune  of  the  minstrel ;  wherever  he 
may  wander,  north  or  south,  he  may  find  a  benefactor,  sing 
his  praise,  and  be  rewarded. 

Beowulf 

The  poet  recalls  the  power  and  prowess  of  the  Danes  ; 
Shield  of  the  Sheaf,  their  first  King,  who  as  a  child  came  to 
their  shores,  alone,  in  a  ship,  and,  after  his  death,  was  sent 
from  their  shores,  alone,  across  the  unknown  ocean  ;  his 
successors,  Beowulf,  Halfdane  and  Hrothgar.  Hrothgar 
orders  his  people  to  build  him  a  great  hall,  which  he  calls 
Heorot,  in  which,  for  a  short  time,  they  dwell  in  happiness. 
Suddenly  Grendel,  a  fiend  from  hell,  of  the  accursed  race 
of  Cain,  invades  the  hall  and  snatches  in  their  sleep  thirty 
of  Hrothgar 's  thegns.  The  next  night,  he  returns,  and  so, 
for  twelve  years,  the  hall  is  deserted  and  the  people  plagued 

II  Then  Beowulf,  a  thegn  and  nephew  of  Higelac,  King  of 

the  Geats,  hears  in  his  home  of  the  troubles  of  the  Danes 
and  with  fourteen  picked  companions  crosses  the  sea  to 
their  country.  They  are  challenged  by  the  coast-guard,  who 
is  convinced  of  their  friendly  purpose,  and  guides  them  to 
Heorot,  where  Beowulf  is  recognised  and  welcomed  by 
Hrothgar.  At  Hrothgar 's  bidding  the  Geats  sit  down  to 
feast  with  the  Danes. 

Unferth,  son  of  Ecglaf,  a  favourite  of  Hrothgar,  is  jealous 
of  Beowulf,  and  taunts  him  with  his  failure  in  a  swimming- 
match  with  Breca  the  Bronding.  Beowulf  replies,  telling 

X  the  true  story,  and  charging  Unferth  with  cowardice  in  not 

having  dared  to  face  Grendel.  Wealhthoow,  Hrothgar 's 
Queen,  takes  the  cup  round  the  hall,  and  Hrothgar  retires 
to  rest. 

xxi 


X  Beowulf  and  his  men  lie  down  in  the  hall,  and  all  but  he 

XI  sleep.  Then,  out  of  the  mists  on  the  moors,  comes  Grendel; 
he  breaks  through  the  doors  and  tears  to  pieces  Hondscio, 
one  of  Beowulf's  men,  whom  he  devours. 

But  Beowulf  has  the  strength  of  thirty  men  in  his  hand  ; 

XII  unarmed,  he  wrestles  with  Grendel,  and  at  length  tears  off 
his  right  arm.  Mortally  wounded,  Grendel  slinks  home  to 
his  lair  in  the  fens. 

XIII  In  the  morning,  young  and  old  assemble ;  they  see  Grendel's 
arm  hanging  by  the  roof  of  the  hall,  and  follow  the  track 
of  his  blood  to  the  foul  pool  in  which  he  has  dived  and 
died.  They  race  their  horses  homewards,  and  on  the  way 
a  minstrel  sings  to  them  of  Sigemund  and  his  war  with  the 
dragon,  and  of  Heremod,  an  evil  King,  who  was  betrayed 
into  the  hands  of  his  enemies.  Not  so,  he  says,  is  Beowulf. 

XIV  Hrothgar  and  his  Queen  leave  their  bower  and  come  to  the 
hall,  where  he  gives  thanks  to  God,  seeing  Grendel's  arm 
exposed  there.  He  hails  Beowulf  as  his  son,  and  promises 
him  ample  rewards.  Beowulf  describes  the  fight.  Ecglaf  is 
shamed  into  silence. 

XV  Heorot  is  adorned  for  a  feast  with  golden  hangings.  Hroth 
gar  bestows  armour,  treasure  and  horses  upon  Beowulf, 

XVI  and  other  gifts  upon  each  of  his  companions.  The  bard 
then  sings  the  lay  of  Finn,  a  Frisian  King,  who  had  carried 
off  Hildeburh,  the  daughter  of  Hoc,  and  was  attacked  by 
her  brothers,  Hnaef  and  Hengest.  Hnaef  and  Finn's  son 

XVII  are  killed,  and  Finn  makes  a  pact  with  Hengest,  who  re 
mains  in  his  burgh  through  the  winter.  The  bodies  of  the 
slain  are  burned.  Hengest  plans  revenge,  but  the  Frisians 
attack  him,  and  he  is  killed.  Later,  two  of  his  men,  Guthlaf 
and  Oslaf,  return  to  Finn's  country,  kill  him  and  carry 
Hildeburh  back  to  her  home. 

Wealhtheow  again  goes  through  the  hall  with  the  flagon, 

XVIII  which  she  gives  to  Hrothgar.  She  also  gives  Beowulf  a 
necklace,  the  greatest  in  the  world,  which,  in  later  years, 
Higelac  is  to  wear  when  he  invades  the  Low  Countries,  and 
falls  in  fight  with  the  Franks.  The  feast  ends,  and  the 
company  separate. 

XIX  But   now   another  horror  comes   upon  them.   Grendel's 
mother,  a  monster-wife,  greedy  to  avenge  her  son,  enters 
upon  the  hall,  seizes  and  carries  off  Aeschere,  the  close 

XX  companion  and  trusted  counsellor  of  Hrothgar.  Sending 
for  Beowulf,  Hrothgar  tells  him  the  news,  and  describes 
the  enchanted  mere  in  which  the  monsters  lurk.  If  Beo 
wulf  will  venture  there  he  shall  have  farther  rewards. 

XXI  Beowulf  accepts  the  challenge,  and,  with  Hrothgar  and  his 
men,  sets  out  for  the  mere.  He  arms  himself,  and  Unferth , 

xxii 


now  cured  of  his  boasting,  lends  him  his  own  sword,  Hrunt- 

XXII  ing,  which  had  never  failed  any  man  in  battle.  Beowulf 
commends  his  followers  to  Hrothgar's  care,  and  bequeaths 
his  own  sword  to  Unferth  ;   he  then  dives  into  the  mere, 
and  for  a  whole  day  sinks  towards  the  bottom,  attacked  as 
he  falls,  by  all  manner  of  monsters.  At  last  Grendel's  mother, 
conscious  of  his  approach,  comes  from  her  den,  and  seizing 
Beowulf  carries  him  down  to  a  cave  where  no  water  comes. 
There  they  fight  by  fire-light,  but  the  sword  will  not  wound 
the  creature,  and  Beowulf,  flinging  it  down,  catches  her 
by  the  shoulder  and  throws  her  to  the  floor.  She  pulls  him 
down  after  her,  and  draws  her  knife  ;    but  God  protects 
him. 

XXIII  On  the  wall  of  the  cave  he  sees  an  old  sword,  of  giants' 
forging.  He  draws  it,  and  cuts  off  her  head.  Then  he  sees 
Grendel  on  the  ground,  dead  or  dying,  and  cuts  off  his 
head  also,  and  with  it  and  the  old  sword   dives  upwards 
through  the  blood-stained  water.  But  in  the  poisonous  blood 
the  old  sword  melts  like  an  icicle  in  spring,  and  only  the 
hilt  of  it  remains.  Hrothgar  and  his  Danes  have  gone  home, 
and  Beowulf's  men  are  left  sorrowing  on  the  shore,  watch 
ing  the  eddies  of  blood  in  the  water,  when  their  Captain 
emerges.  They  disarm  him,  take  up  Grendel's  head,  and 
return  to  Heorot,  where  the  Danes  are  at  table  with  their 
King  and  Queen. 

XXIV  Beowulf  tells  Hrothgar  of  the  battle,  and  gives  him  the  hilt 
of  the  old  sword.  Hrothgar  exalts  him  above  all  men,  and 
again  contrasts  him  with  the  wicked  King  Heremod.  All 

XXV  men  are  mortal,  and  earthly  pride  avails  little,  unless  a  man 
chooses  the  Way  of  God.  For  the  last  time,  the  Geats  feast 
in  Heorot,  and  then  the  weary  Beowulf  is  led  to  rest.  In 
the  morning  he  restores  Hrunting  to  Ecglaf,  and  announces 

XXVI  that  he  must  return  to  his  own  country,  and  to  Higelac,  his 

XXVII  King.  He  and  Hrothgar  kiss  one  another  and  part,  and  the 
Geats  go  down  to  their  ship  and  put  out  to  sea. 

Higelac  was  a  proud  King,  his  house  high  and  beautiful, 
his  Queen,  Hygd,  very  young,  but  wise  ;  unlike  Thrytho, 
the  Queen  of  Offa,  who  caused  the  death  of  her  husband's 
courtiers,  though  some  say  that  she,  after  her  marriage, 
grew  wise  also. 

XXVIII  The  Geats  land  and  make  their  way  to  Higelac 's  hall,  where 
they  are  welcomed  by  him  ;  Hygd,  his  Queen,  gives  them 
to  drink,  and  Beowulf  tells  his  adventures.  He  speaks  of 
Hrothgar's  daughter,  Freawaru,  whom  he  saw  in  Heorot ; 
she  is  betrothed  to  Ingeld,  son  of  Froda,  a  Heathobeard 
Prince,  which  may  make  for  peace  now  between  Danes 

[XXX]         and  Heathobeards  but  may  also  lead  to  quarrels  later.  He 

xxiii 


then  relates  his  fights  with  Grendel  and  in  the  mere.  He 
then  brings  in  Hrothgar's  gifts  and  offers  them  to  his  own 
lord,  who  gives  him  in  return  the  sword  of  his  father  Hrethel, 
seven  thousands  of  money,  and  a  home.  So  Beowulf,  who 
had  been  despised  in  his  youth,  and  accounted  slack,  lives 
in  prosperity  with  Higelac. 


Years  pass.  Higelac  is  killed,  and  Heardred  his  son  ;  Beo 
wulf  succeeds  to  the  kingdom,  and  reigns  for  fifty  years. 
Then  a  dragon  which  for  centuries  has  lived  in  a  burial 
mound,  guarding  a  hoard  of  treasure,  awakes  and,  finding 
the  treasure  disturbed,  flies  out  over  Beowulf's  country. 
(Here  the  manuscript  is  much  damaged  by  fire).  A  man  un 
named,  a  slave  fleeing  from  punishment,  has  taken  refuge 
in  the  mound,  and  has  seen  there  all  the  treasures  of  some 
ancient  and  forgotten  race,  which  the  last  survivor,  mourn 
ing  his  friends  and  despairing  of  his  own  life,  had  hidden 
there,  so  that  they  might  never  again  be  enjoyed  by  man. 
The  dragon,  who  had  found  the  place  open,  had  lain  there 
for  three  hundred  years,  and  slept.  Then  this  man  takes  a 
cup  from  the  hoard  and  offers  it  to  his  master.  The  dragon, 
in  fury,  comes  out  flaming,  and  burns  the  homes  of  the 
people  and  Beowulf's  hall.  Beowulf  orders  a  shield  of  iron 
to  be  made  him,  and  vows  that  he  will  go  out  alone  against 
the  monster.  The  earlier  battles  are  recalled,  by  which  he 
won  his  kingdom. 

Eleven  men  follow  him  to  the  mound  ;  he  bids  them  fare 
well,  and  recounts  the  story  of  his  own  youth,  of  Hrethel 
and  his  sons  ;  one  of  them,  Haethcyn,  had  killed  his  elder 
brother  with  an  arrow.  Powerless  to  do  justice,  Hrethel 
pined  and  died.  The  Swedes  then  invaded  the  country,  and 
Haethcyn  was  killed. 

Beowulf  advances  to  the  mouth  of  the  mound,  and  chal 
lenges  the  dragon,  which  comes  hurtling  out  in  smoke  and 
flame  to  meet  him.  Of  his  men,  all  seek  safety  in  a  wood 
save  one,  Wiglaf,  son  of  Weohstan,  who  draws  his  father's 
sword,  rebukes  his  companions,  and  wades  through  the 
flames  to  Beowulf's  side.  Beowulf's  sword  breaks,  and  the 
dragon  rushes  upon  him  a  third  time,  and  catches  him  by 
the  neck.  Wiglaf  wounds  the  dragon,  whose  fire  begins  to 
slacken  ;  then  Beowulf  kills  it,  but  himself  faints  with  his 
wounds.  He  bids  Wiglaf  fetch  out  the  treasure  from  the 
mound,  that  he  may  see  it  before  he  dies.  Wiglaf  enters  the 
mound,  and  finds  there  great  treasures,  which  he  rifles  and 
brings  to  Beowulf.  Beowulf  thanks  God  for  them,  and  bids 
Wiglaf  have  a  barrow  made  for  him  upon  the  Whale's 


xxiv 


Headland,  looking  over  the  sea.  He  gives  him  his  own 
armour  and  dies. 

The  dragon  lies  dead  beside  him,  Wiglaf  watching  over 
both,  when  the  ten  companions  come  shamefully  from  the 
wood.  Wiglaf  rebukes  them  bitterly,  and  sends  the  news  of 
Beowulf's  death  to  the  rest  of  his  people.  The  messenger 
warns  them  that  the  Frisians  and  Franks,  who  had  killed 
Higelac,  would  now  invade  them  ;  the  Swedes  also  would 
avenge  the  Battle  in  Ravenswood,  where  Higelac  punished 
them  for  the  killing  of  Haethcyn.  Beowulf's  body  must  now 
be  burned,  and  the  jewels  with  it.  They  go  to  the  mound, 
and  seven  of  them,  with  Wiglaf,  enter  the  enchanted  treas 
ure-house.  Wiglaf  orders  wood  to  be  brought  from  near 
and  far  for  the  burning.  The  dragon's  body  is  flung  over 
the  cliff. 

A  great  pile  is  built  up  for  Beowulf,  and  decked  with  ar 
mour.  His  body  is  laid  there,  and  burned.  His  wife  (?) 
laments  him,  and  foretells  coming  disasters.  Then,  for  ten 
days,  his  men  build  a  mound  over  the  ashes,  and  bury  with 
him  the  treasures  from  the  hoard.  Round  the  mound  ride 
twelve  champions,  lamenting  his  deat  h  and  proclaiming  his 
worth. 


Finnsburgh 


(A  fragment  of  the  story  summarised  in  Beowulf,  lines 
1068-1159,  beginning  here  with  the  last  three  words  of  a 
question.) 

Hengest  and  his  men  are  surprised  in  their  hall  by  the 
Frisians. — "  Surely  the  gables  are  not  burning  ?  "  asks 
one,  and  Hengest  (?)  answers  :  "  This  is  not  the  light  of 
dawn,  nor  a  fiery  dragon,  nor  are  the  gables  burning.  But 
they  are  coming  against  us,  in  clashing  armour.  Awake  and 
prepare  to  fight."  They  go  to  the  doors,  Sigeferth  and  Eaha 
to  one  end.  Ordlaf  (?  the  Oslaf  of  Beowidf  1148),  Guthlaf 
and  Hengest  to  the  other.  Sigeferth  challenges  the  attackers, 
and  they  fight  for  five  days,  slaying  many  Frisians,  but 
without  loss  to  themselves,  avenging  the  memory  of  Hnaef. 
One  of  them,  wounded,  makes  his  way  to  his  King,  with 
news  of  the  battle.  (It  appears  from  Beowulf,  1142-4,  that 
Hengest  was  killed  by  an  otherwise  unknown  Hunlafing). 


XXV 


Waldere 


Hildegyth  encourages  Waldere  before  the  fight,  reminding 
him  that  his  sword,  the  Mimming,  Weland's  masterpiece, 
has  never  yet  failed  any  man  powerful  enough  to  wield  it. 
Now  is  the  hour  of  death  or  victory.  Never  in  the  past  has 
she  seen  him  draw  back  from  battle.  He  has  offered  tribute 
to  Guthhere,  who  has  refused  it.  Therefore  must  Guthhere 
pay  the  penalty  in  battle.  .  .  . 


xx:  ii 


(Guthhere  praises  Waldere 's)  sword,  the  Mimming,  which 
Theodoric  had  owned,  and  had  been  minded  to  give,  with 
other  treasures,  to  Weland's  son  Widia. 
Waldere  replies  boasting  that  he  has  not  been  defeated  by 
Hagena,  and  that  he  now  defies  the  assault  of  Guthhere, 
trusting  to  God  for  protection 


nc  ~ 

Deor 

Deor,  a  minstrel,  recounts  the  sorrows  of  Weland,  who 

£X3  was  imprisoned  and  mutilated  by  King  Nithhad.  But  he 

escaped.  Beadohild,  Nithhad 's  daughter,  had  cause  for 
sorrow,  for  Weland  had  outraged  her,  and  killed  her  brothers. 
(By  him  she  became  the  mother  of  Widia).  But  her  sorrows 

£X]  passed.  The  Geatish  King  (?  Nithhad)  was  maddened  by 

love,  which  robbed  him  of  sleep.  But  that  passed.  Theo 
doric  was  for  thirty  years  an  exile.  But  that  passed.  Eor- 
manric,  the  cruel  King,  held  many  a  man  in  captivity,  who 
longed  for  the  fall  of  his  kingdom.  That  also  passed. 

Q£]  Those  who  sit  in  sorrow  and  misfortune  must  remember 

that  God  often  makes  the  wretched  happy  and  brings  down 
the  haughty. 
The  poet  himself,  Deor,  bard  of  the  Heodenings,  was 

£X]  cherished  by  his  lord  until  Heorrenda  robbed  him  of  his 

inheritance.  Yet  this  trouble  also  may  pass. 


XXVI 


Widsith 
BEOWULF 

Finnsburgh  *  Waldere  *  Deor 


Widsith 

Widsith    made    utterance,  /  his    word-hoard 

unlocked, 

He  who  most  of  men  /  among  meinies  on  the  earth 
And  folks  had  wandered ;  /  oft  on  the  floor  he  took 
Lovely  treasure.  /  From  the  loins  of  the  Myrgings' 
Offspring  he  arose.  /  He  with  Ealhhild 
Faithful  Peace-Weaver,  /  on  his  first  journey 
The  Hreth-King's  /  home  did  seek 
From  the  East,  out  of  Angel,  /  Eormanrice's 
The  fierce  and  faithless.  /  Began  he  then  in  fulness 

to  speak  : 

"  Of  many  men  have  I  heard,  /  masters  of  peoples; 

Must  every  king  /  by  custom  live, 

One  earl  after  another  /  his  own  home  govern, 

He  who  his  throne-stool  /  to  thrive  wishes. 

Of  these  was  Hwala  /  awhile  the  best, 

And  Alexander  /  of  all  the  richest 

Of  man's  kindred,  /  and  he  most  thrived 

Of  them  whose  fame  /  afar  I  have  heard. 

Attila  ruled  the  Huns,  /  Eormanric  the  Goths, 

Becca  the  Bainings,  /  the  Burgunds  Gifica. 

Caesar  ruled  the  Greeks  /  and  Gaelic  the  Finns, 

Hagena    the    Holm-Rugians  /  and    Heoden    the 

Glommas. 

Witta  ruled  the  Swaefs,  /  Wada  the  Haelsings, 
Meaca  the  Myrgings,  /  Marchalf  the  Hundings. 
Theodric  ruled  the  Franks,  /  Thyle  the  Rondings, 
Breca  the  Brondings,  /  Billing  the  Wernas. 
Oswine  ruled  the  Eowas  /  and  the  lutes  Gefwulf , 
Fin  Folcwalding  /  the  Frisian  kindred. 
Sigehere  longest  /  the  Sea-Danes  ruled, 
Hnaef  the  Hoccings,  /  Helm  the  Wulfings, 
Wald  the  Woings,  /  Wod  the  Thyrings, 


Saeferth  the  Sycgs,  /  the  Swedes  Ongentheow, 

Sceafthere  the  Ymbras,  /  Sheaf  the  Longbeards, 

Hun  the  Hetwaras  /  and  Holen  the  Wrosnas. 

Hringweald  was  hight  /  the  Herefaras'  King. 

Offa  ruled  Angel,  /  Alewih  the  Danes  ; 

He  was  of  those  men  /  highest-minded  of  all  ; 

Yet  never  did  he  over  Offa  /  in  earlship  excel ; 

But  Offa  fashioned  /  first  among  men, 

When  a  young  knave  was  he,  /  of  kingdoms  the 

greatest  ; 

40         No  one  of  an  age  with  him  /  earlship  mightier 
Wrought  in  the  onslaught  /  with  one  sword  : 
The  march  he  measured  /  with  the  Myrgings 
By  Fifeldor  ;  /  thenceforth  they  held  it, 
Angle  and  Swaef  /  as  Offa  drew  it. 
Hrothwulf  and  Hrothgar  /  held  the  longest 
Union  together,  /  uncle  and  nephew, 
After  they  had  cast  out  /  the  kin  of  the  Vikings 
And  Ingelde's  /  army  had  humbled, 
Hewn  down  at  Heorot  /  the  Heathobeards'  host. 
50         So  I  fared  through  many  /  foreign  lands 
Over  the  wide  earth  ;  /  of  good  and  evil 
There  I  made  trial  ;  /  from  my  tribe  divided, 
From  my  kinsmen  far,  /  I  followed  men  widely. 
Wherefore  I  may  sing  /  and  say  my  story, 
Mention  before  the  multitude  /  in  the  mead-hall 
How  kingly-good  men  /  kindness  shewed  me. 
I  was  with  Huns  /  and  with  Hreth-Goths 
With  Swedes  and  with  Geats  /  and  with 

South-Danes. 
With  Vandals  I  was  and  with  Vaerns  /  and  with 

Vikings. 
60         With  Gifthas  I  was  and  with  Wends  /  and  with 

Gefflegs. 
With  Angles  I  was  and  with  Swaefs  /  and  with 

Aenenas. 
With  Saxons  I  was  and  with  Sycgs  /  and  with 

Swordsmen. 
With  Whales  I  was  and  with  Deans  /  and  with 

Heatho-Reams. 


With  Thyrings  I  was  /  and  with  Throwends 
And  I  was  with  Burgunds,  /  there  a  bracelet  I  had  ; 
There  Guthhere  gave  me  /  a  gladsome  jewel 
For  my  song  in   payment  ;  /  'twas   no   sluggard 

King. 
With  Franks  I  was  and  with  Frisians  /  and  with 

Frumtings. 
With   Rugians   I   was   and  with   Glommas  /  and 

with  Rome-Welsh. 
Also  I  was  in  Italy  /  with  Aelfwine  ; 
Who  had  of  mankind,  /  in  my  hearing, 
The  lightest  hand  /  for  laudable  works, 
The  heart  least  niggard  /  when  rings  were 

dealing, 

Brightest  bracelets,  /  that  bairn  of  Eadwine. 
With  Saracens  I  was  /  and  with  Syrians. 
With  Creeks  I  was  and  with  Finns  /  and  with 

Caesar, 

With  him  who  the  joy-burghs  /  by  justice  ruled, 
Wealth  and  good-will  /  and  the  Welsh  kingdom. 
With  Scots  I  was  and  with  Picts  /  and  with 

Skating-Finns. 
With  Lidwicings  I  was  and  with  Leons  /  and  with 

Longbeards, 
With    Heathens    and    with    Haereths  /  and    with 

Hundings. 

With  Israelites  I  was  /  and  with  Assyrians, 
With  Ebrews  and  with  Indians  /  and  with 

Egyptians. 
With  Medes  I  was  and  with  Persians  /  and  with 

Myrgings 

And  Mofdings  /  and  Counter-Myrgings 
And  with  Amothings.  /  With  East-Thyrings  I  was 
And  with  Eols  and  with  Iste  /  and  Idumings. 
And  I  was  with  Eormanric  /  all  the  time, 
There  the  Gothic  King  /  was  good  to  me  ; 
A  bracelet  he  gave  me,  /  the  burghers'  lord, 
Wherein  were  six  hundred  /  of  smelted  gold 
Coins  reckoned,  /  counted  in  shillings  ; 
This  I  to  Eadgils'  /  ownership  gave, 


To  my  lord  and  helper,  /  when  to  my  home  I 

came, 
To  my  friend  as  a  fee  /  for  that  he  furnished  land 

to  me, 

My  father's  heritage,  /  the  Head  of  the  Myrgings. 
And  then  also  Ealhhild  /  another  gave  me, 
Ducal-Queen  of  the  doughty,  /  daughter  of 

Eadwine. 

Her  laud  was  prolonged  /  through  lands  many, 
joo       When  I  in  song  /  was  set  to  say 

Where  I  under  the  sky  /  had  seen  the  best 
Gold-decked  Queen  /  giving  treasures. 
When  Shilling  and  I  /  with  sheer  voices 
Before  our  royal  Lord  /  upraised  the  song, 
When  loud  to  the  harp  /  the  lilt  made  melody, 
Then  many  men  /  whose  minds  were  proud 
In  words  did  say,  /  who  well  had  knowledge, 
That  they  never  a  sweeter  /  song  had  heard. 
Thence  I  roamed  over  all  /  the  realm  of  the  Goths, 
no       Sought  I  ever  the  best  /  of  boon-companions  ; 
That  was  the  indwellers  /  with  Eormanric. 
Hethca  sought  I  and  Beadeca/  and  the  Herelings, 
Emerca  sought  I  and  Fridla  /  and  East-Gota 
Old  and  gallant,  /  Unwen's  father. 
Secca  sought  I  and  Becca,  /  Seafola  and  Theodric, 
Heathoric  and  Sifeca,  /  Hlithe  and  Incgentheow. 
Eadwine   sought    I    and   Elsa,  /  Aegelmund   and 

Hungar 

And  the  proud  company  /  of  Counter-Myrgings. 
Wulfhere  sought  I  and  Wyrmhere  ;  /  full  oft  there 

war  abated  not, 

120       When  the  host  of  the  Hreths  /  with  hard  swords 
By  the  Wistula  Wood  /  must  watch  and  ward 
Their  ancient  seat  /  from  Attila's  people. 
Raedhere  sought  I  and  Rondhere,  /  Rumstan  and 

Gislhere, 

Withergyld  and  Freotheric,  /  Wudga  and  Hama  ; 
Nor  were  they  of  comrades  /  the  worst  to  me, 
Though  I  must  name  them  /  nearest  the  end. 
Full  oft  from  that  host  /  whining  flew 


The  howling  spear  /  on  a  hostile  people  ; 
Wanderers,    they    governed    there  /  by  wounden 

gold 

Husbands  and  wives,  /  Wudga  and  Hama. 
So  I  have  found  it  ever,  /  in  all  my  faring 
That  he  is  loved  the  best  /  by  the  land-dwellers, 
To  whom  God  giveth  /  governance  of  men 
To  have  and  to  hold  /  while  here  he  liveth." 

So  wandering  far  /  by  fate  are  driven 

Men's  lay-singers  /  over  lands  many, 

Their  thrifts  say  they,  /  thankful  words  speak  they, 

Ever,  south  or  north,  /  with  some  one  meet  they 

Apt  in  glees,  /  of  gifts  unsparing, 

Who  before  the  fighters  wishes  /  his  fame  to  exalt, 

Earlship  to  achieve,  /  until  all  is  scattered, 

Light  and  life  together  ;  /  laud  he  gaineth, 

Hath  under  the  heavens  /  high  fame  and  fast. 


BEOWULF 


WHAT  !  We  of  Spear-Danes  /  in  spent  days, 
Of  the  Folk-Kings'  /  force  have  heard, 
How  the  Athelings  /  excelled  in  fight. 
Oft  Shield  of  the  Sheaf  /  from  scathing  hordes, 
From  many  meinies  /  their  mead-stools  tore. 
Affrighted  them  the  Earl,  /  since  erst  he  was 
Found,  unwealthy  ;  /  then  friendship  he  awaited, 
Waxed  under  the  welkin,  /  in  worship  throve, 
Until  that  each  one  /  of  those  out-dwelling 

10         Over  the  whale-road,  /  must  hearken  to  him, 
Gold  must  give  him.  /  That  was  a  good  King. 
His  offspring  was  /  afterwards  known, 
Young  in  the  yards,  /  whom  God  sent 
The  folk  to  befriend  ;  /  the  fierce  dearth  He  knew 
They  had  ere  then  endured,  /  lacking  elders 
A  long  while.  /  To  him  the  Life-Lord, 
Glory's  Wielder,  /  world -honour  gave. 
Noble  was  Beowulf  /  (bloomed  wide  his  name) 
Shielde's  son  /  in  the  Scede-lands. 

20         So  shall  a  young  groom  /  work  his  own  good, 
By  full  fees  given  /  to  friends  of  his  father, 
That  with  him  in  his  age  /  they  may  ever  abide, 
Willing  comrades,  /  whenas  war  cometh, 
To  serve  the  people  ;  /  by  praised  deeds  shall 
One  man  thrive  /  among  all  man-kind. 
Turned   aside  then    Shield  /  in  the  time  shaped 

for  him, 

Full-ripe,  to  fare  /  in  Frea's  keeping. 
Him  then  out  they  bare  /  to  the  brink  of  ocean, 
His  sweet  companions,  /  so  himself  had  bidden, 

30         While  his  words  had  weight,  /  welcome  friend  of 

Shieldings  ; 
A  beloved  land-chief,  /  long  had  he  reigned. 


There  in  the  roads  /  ring-stemmed  she  stood, 
Icy,  out-faring,  /  an  atheling's  craft  : 
Laid  they  down  then  /  the  lovely  Prince, 
Bestower  of  bracelets,  /  in  the  breast  of  the  ship, 
Their  man  by  the  mast.  /  There  was  a  mass  of 

wealth, 

Fretted  gold  ferried  /  from  far  away. 
Nor  heard  I  of  a  keel  /  more  comely-wise  garnished 
With  brave  weapons  /  and  battle-weeds, 

40         With  bills  and  byrnies  ;  /  on  his  breast  lay 
Many  treasures  /  that  must  with  him 
In  the  flood's  keeping  /  fare  afar. 
Nothing  less  /  of  gifts  they  allowed  him, 
Of  their  possessions  /  than  had  those 
Who  at  his  first  faring  /  forth  had  sent  him 
Alone  over  ocean,  /  an  infant  indeed. 
Still  more,  they  stood  up  for  him  /  a  golden 

standard 

High  over  head  ;  /  they  let  the  holm  bear  him, 
Sent  him  to  the  Spear-Man  ;  /  sad  was  their  soul, 

50         Mournful  their  mood.  /  For  men  knew  not 
How  soothly  to  say,  /  men  seely  in  council, 
Of  their  hero  under  heaven  /  who  that  lading 
received. 


I 

Then  in  the  burghs  /  was  Beowulf  Shielding, 

Loved  Lord  of  the  People,  /  a  long  time 

Famed  mid  the  folk,  /  (his  father  had  elsewhither 

turned, 
Being  old,  from  the  earth)  /  until  to  him  after  was 

born 

Haughty  Halfdane  ;  /  he  held  while  he  lived, 
Grey-haired,  war-greedy,  /  the  glad  Shieldings. 

To  him  four  bairns  /  forth  in  order 
Awoke  to  the  world,  /  the  warriors'  leader 
Heorogar,  and  Hrothgar  /  and  Halga  the  kind ; 
Heard  I  that  the  other  /  was  Owela's  Queen, 
The  Battle-Scilfing's  /  bed-companion. 

Then  was  granted  to  Hrothgar  /  good-speed  with 

the  host, 

Such  worship  in  war  /  that  his  willing  kinsmen 
Hearkened  to  him  gladly  /  until  the  youth  waxed 

great, 

A  mighty  band  ;  /  it  was  borne  on  his  mind 
That  a  Hall-house  /  he  would  have 
Made  him  by  men,  /  a  mightier  mead-place 
Than  men's  offspring  /  remembered  ever, 
And  there,  inside,  /  he  would  deal  out  to  all, 
The  young  with  the  old,  /  as  God  had  endowed 

him, 

Save  the  folk-share  /  and  the  fates  of  men. 
Then  widely  I  heard  that  /  the  work  was  ordered 
Of  many  meinies  /  over  this  middle-garth, 
To  furnish  the  folk-stead.  /  In  time  it  befell  him, 
Early  among  men,  /  that  it  all  was  ready, 
Of   hall-places    mightiest ;  /  he    made    its    name 

Heorot, 

He  who  his  word  /  had  widely  wielded. 
His  boast  he  belied  not,  /  bracelets  he  dealt  them, 
Treasure  at  table.  /  Towered  that  hall 
High,  its  horns  gaping  ;  /  battle-heat  it  abode 


Of  the  loathly  flame.  /  Nor  was  it  long  thereafter 
That  the  sword-hatred  /  of  daughter's  husband 
Against  wife's  father  /  should  awaken. 

Hardly  then  /  that  ghost  of  horror 
Bore  the  delay,  /  he  that  in  darkness  abode, 
While  he  each  day  /  their  happiness  heard 
Loud  in  the  hall  ;  /  there  was  sound  of  harping, 
90         Shrill  song  of  the  shaper.  /  Said  he  that  knew  how 
Men's  origin  /  from  of  old  to  reckon, 
The  Almighty,  quoth  he,  /  wrought  the  earth, 
Our  bright-seeming  weald  /  in  water  embosomed  ; 
Battle-Happy,  He  set  /  the  sun  and  the  moon 
For  lights  to  lighten  /  the  land-indwellers, 
And  adorned  all  /  the  ends  of  the  earth 
With  leafy  limbs  ;  /  life  eke  he  shaped 
For  each  of  the  kindreds  /  that  quickened  do  move. 

So  then  the  people's  men  /  dwelt  in  prosperity, 
ioo       Blessed  and  happy,  /  until  one  began 

Felony  to  fashion,  /  a  fiend  out  of  hell  : 
Was  that  grim  guest  /  Grendel  hight, 
A  mighty  march-stepper,  /  who  the  moors  held, 
Fen  and  fastness  ;  /  through  the  fifel-kin's  realm 
The  wanchancy  wight  /  long  while  had  wandered, 
Since  him  the  Shaper  /  had  proscribed. 
On  Caine's  kin  /  He  avenged  that  killing, 
The  Lord  Eternal,  /  for  that   Abel  he  slew. 
No  joy  found  He  in  that  feud,  /  but  far  exiled  him, 
no       The  Maker  for  the  murder,  /  from  out  man-kind. 
Thence  abominations  /  all  arose, 
Etins  and  elves,  /  orcneys  also, 
Likewise  giants  /  that  with  God  strove 
For  many  days  ;  /  that  doom  He  dealt  them. 


1C 


II 

He  went  then  to  have  knowledge,  /  when  night 

was  come, 

Of  the  high  house,  /  how  in  it  the  Ring-Danes 
After  beer-drinking  /  were  bestowed. 
He  found  then  inside  /  the  atheling-band 
Asleep  after  supper  ;  /  no  sorrow  they  knew, 
Nor  miseries  of  men.  /  The  monster  of  unhealing, 
Grim  and  greedy,  /  was  speedily  yare, 
Fierce  and  furious,  /  and  took  forth  from  their  beds 
Thirty  thegns.  /  Thence  again  he  departed, 
Happy  in  his  haul,  /  homewards  to  fare, 
From  amidst  that  destruction,/  to  visit  his  dwelling. 
Then  in  the  dawn,  /  with  the  day's  first  light, 
Grendel's  war-craft  /  was  kenned  of  men  ; 
Then  were,  after  his  gorging,  /  groans  upraised, 
Much  sound  in  the  morning.  /  The  mighty  Lord, 
Jewel  of  athelings,  /  sate  all  joyless, 
Tholed  his  strong  wrong,  /  thegn-sorrow  endured, 
Whenas  they  looked  /  on  the  loathly  traces 
Of  the  cursed  spirit  ;  /  that  strife  was  too  strong, 
Loathly  and  lasting.  /  Nor  was  it  longer  in  time 
Than  one  night  after,  /  again  he  accomplished 
More  of  murders,  /  and  minded  not 
Their  feuds  nor  their  force  ;  /  too  fast  was  he  fixed 

in  them. 

Then  was  easily  found  /  he  who  elsewhere 
More  roomily  /  his  rest  would  seek, 
A  bed  mid  the  bowers,  /  for  beaconed  to  them 

was, 

Soothly  spoken,  /  by  a  simple  token, 
The  hate  of  that  hall-thegn  ;  /  he  held  himself 

thenceforth 
Farther  and  faster  /  who  that  fiend  outwiled. 


So  ruled  he  them  /  and  against  the  right  fought 
One  against  all,  /  till  that  idle  it  stood, 


ii 


The  holiest  of  houses.  /  That  was  some  while  ; 
Twelve  winter-tides  /  the  taunt  he  tholed, 
The  Friend  of  Shieldings,/  all  forms  of  grief, 
Swelling  sorrows  ;  /  since  when  it  was 

50       Openly  known  /  to  the  offspring  of  men 
In  gloomy  glees,  /  that  Grendel  fought 
Awhile  with  Hrothgar,  /  waged  hateful  war, 
Force  and  feud  /  in  the  following  seasons, 
Strife  unceasing  ;  /  nor  in  sympathy  would 
From  any  man  /  of  the  Danish  meiny 
Keep  afar  off  that  life-bane,  /  for  a  fee  compound. 
Nay,  none  of  the  wise  there  /  need  wish  for  any 
Brighter  boon  /  at  the  hands  of  the  bane. 
A  wanton  wretch  /  was  worrying  them, 

60       A  dark  death-shadow,  /  the  doughty  and  young, 
Snared    them    and    netted    them,   /    nightly    he 

stalked 

The  misty  moors  ;  /  men  know  not 
Whither  hell's  rune-spellers  /  hie  in  their 
roamings. 


So  many  crimes  /  man-kinde's  foe, 
That  awful  alone-goer  /  often  planned, 
Harsher  humblings  ;  /  Heorot  he  haunted, 
That  bright  treasure-hall  /  in  the  blackness  of 

night. 

Nor  to  greet  the  gift-stool  /  might  he  go, 
Decked  for  the  Creator,  /  nor  have  his  desire  ; 
70       That  was  much  shame  /  for  the  Friend  of 

Shieldings, 

Breaking  of  mood.  /  Often  sate  many 
Men  rich  in  rune-lore,  /  their  rede  they  pondered, 
What  it  were  best  /  for  the  bold-hearted 
To  frame  against  /  their  griesly  fears. 


At  whiles  they  vowed  /  in  the  heathen-tents 
Of  idol-worship,  /  prayed  with  words 

12 


That  the  Slayer  of  Spirits  /  succour  would  send 

them 
Against  that  plague  of  the  people.  /  Such  was  their 

practice, 
The  hope  of  the  heathen  ;  /  'twas  hell  they 

remembered 
In  the  thoughts  of  their  minds.  /  Their  Maker 

they  knew  not, 

The  Dempster  of  deeds,  /  nor  wist  of  Divine  God, 
Nor  indeed  the  Helm  of  Heaven  /  knew  they  to 

honour, 

The  Wielder  of  Glory.  /  Woe  worth  him  who  shall 
Through  slaying  spite  /  his  soul  shuffle 
Into  the  clutches  of  fire,  /  and  find  no  comfort, 
Nor  wend  thence  a  whit  ;  /  well  worth  him  who 

may 

After  his  death-day  /  the  Divine  Lord  seek, 
And  in  the  Arms  of  the  Father  /  find  refreshment. 


Ill 

So  in  that  time-sorrow  /  the  son  of  Halfdane 
Was  seethed  without  ceasing  ;  /  nor  might  the 

sage  hero 
Win  a  change  from  his  woe  ;  /  was  that  warfare 

too  stiff, 

Loathly  and  lasting,  /  that  on  the  folk  landed  ; 
Need  pressed  them  with  grim  hate,  /  of 

night-banes  the  greatest. 
Till  heard  from  his  home  /  Higelac's  thegn, 
So  good  mid  the  Geats,  /  of  Grendel's  deeds  ; 
He  was  of  man-kind's  /  meiny  the  strongest 
In  the  days  /  of  this  our  life, 
Well-born  and  waxing.  /  He  bade  him  a 

wave-glider 

Good  be  got  ready  ;  /  quoth  he,  the  great  King 
Over  the  swan-road  /  he  would  seek, 
That  mighty  Lord,  /  since  men  he  lacked. 

13 


For  that  way-faring  /  his  wise  fellows 

Blamed  him  but  little,  /  though  loved  of  them  he 

was  ; 
His   high-mind    they   whetted,  /  watched   holy 

omens. 

He  had,  good  man,  /  from  the  Geatish  people 
Champions  chosen,  /  of  those  that  keenest 
Might  be  found  :  /  with  fourteen  else 
The   sound-wood   he   sought ;  /  a   sailor   shewed 

them, 

A  lake-crafty  man  /  the  land-marks. 
210       On  time  went ;  /  on  the  waves  was  their  ship, 
A  boat  under  bergs.  /  The  boys  all  ready 
Stepped  on  the  stem  ;  the  stream  was  washing 
The  sound  on  the  sand  ;  /  those  seamen  bare 
Into  the  breast  of  the  bark  /  bright  adornments, 
Wondrous   war-armour  ;  /  well   out   they   shoved 

her, 
(Wights  willing  to  journey)  /  with  wooden  beams 

bounden. 
Went  then  over  the  waves,  /  as  the  wind  drave 

her, 

The  foamy-necked  floater,  /  to  a  fowl  best  likened, 
Till  about  the  same  time  /  on  the  second  day 
220       Her  winding  stem  /  had  waded  so  far 
That  the  sailors  /  land  could  see, 
Shore-cliffs  shining,  /  mountains  sheer, 
Spreading  sea-nesses  ;  /  then  was  the  sound 

crossed 

At  the  end  of  ocean.  /  Thereon  up  quickly 
The  folk  of  the  Weders  /  walked  on  to  the  fields, 
Secured  their  sea-wood  :  /  their  sarks  rattled, 
Weeds  of  war  ;  /  and  God  they  worshipped, 
For  that  the  way  o'er  the  waves  /  so  easy  was. 
Then  saw  from  the  wall  /  the  Shieldings' 

watchman, 
230       (He  who  the  holm-cliffs  /  had  to  hold,) 

Them  bear  over  the  bulwarks  /  their  bright 

targets, 


Arms  ready  for  action  ;  /  amazement  brake 

On  the  thoughts  of  his  mind,  /  what  men  were 

these. 

Hied  him  then  to  the  haven,  /  on  a  horse  riding, 
The  thegn  of  Hrothgar  ;  /  in  his  hand  he 

brandished 
Strongly    his    spear- wood,  /  and    solemn    words 

spake  : 

"  What  are  ye  /  having  armour, 
A  band  in  byrnies,  /  who  thus  a  tall  bark 
Over  the  lake-street  /  leading,  are  come, 
Hither  over  the  holms  ?  /  Awhile  I  on  the  wall 
Have  been  set  at  the  end,  /  the  sea-guard  have 

held, 

That  in  the  land  of  Danes  /  no  loathly  foeman 
With  men  in  ships  /  scathe  us  might. 
Not  more  openly  hither  /  have  attempted  to  come 
Any  shield-bearers  ;  /  nor  the  secret  word 
Of  our  war-planners  /  wist  ye  readily, 
The  consent  of  our  kindred.  /  Never  saw  I 

comelier 

Earl  upon  earth  /  than  is  one  of  you, 
A  man  in  his  mail-coat  ;  /  that  is  no  hall-minion 
Made  worthy  by  weapons  ;  /  unless  his  visage  belie 

him, 
An  air  unmatched.  /  Now  shall  I  your 

Lineage  learn,  /  ere  leaving  here  ye 

Lying  spies  /  into  the  land  of  Danes 

Fare  forth  farther.  /  Now  ye  far-dwellers, 
Mere-journeyers,  /  hearken  to  my 
Simple  thought ;  /  swiftest  is  safest 
To  let  me  ken  /  whence  your  coming  is." 


IV 

To  him  the  eldest  /  made  his  answer, 

The  wise  man  of  the  war-band  /  his  word-hoard 

unlocked  : 

260       "  We  are  a  group  /  of  the  Geatish  people 
And  Higelace's  /  hearth-companions. 
My  father  was  /  famed  among  folks, 
A  noble  ancestor,  /  Ecgtheow  namely  ; 
He  abode  many  winters  /  ere  on  his  way  he  went 
So  old  from  the  earth  ;  /  have  him  easily  in  mind 
Well-nigh  all  the  wise,  /  this  wide  world  over. 
We  with  loving  minds  /  the  Lord  of  thee, 
Halfdane's  son,  /  are  come  to  seek, 
The  Helper  of  the  lowly  ;  /  be  thou  good  to  us  in 

thy  lore. 

270       We  have  with  that  mighty  one  /  a  mickle  errand, 
With  the  Lord  of  Danes.  /  Nor  shall  aught  of  it 

doubtful 

Remain,  as  I  ween.  /  Thou  wist  if  it  is 
So,  as  we  soothly  /  have  heard  it  said, 
That  against  the  Shieldings  /  I  know  not  what 

scather 
Deep-hidden,    deed-hateful,  /  in    darkest 

night-time 

Teaches  by  terror  /  troubles  untold, 
Havoc  and  humbling.  /  To  Hrothgar  I  may 
In  the  room  of  his  heart  /  a  rede  impart, 
How  he,  old  and  bold,  /  may  that  bane  overpower, 
2  80       If  there  should  ever  /  end  for  him 

This  baleful  business,  /  boons  come  after, 

And  the  welling  cares  /  wax  cooler  ; 

Or  if,  ever  after,  /  a  time  of  anguish, 

Throes  of  need  he  must  thole,  /  while  there  it 

lasteth, 

Builded  on  high,  /  the  best  of  houses." 
The  watchman  spake,  /  where  his  horse  he  sate, 
An  officer  unf earing  :  /  "  Either  way  should 
A  sharp  shield-warrior  /  know  how  to  skim 
Words  from  works,  /  one  that  well  thinketh. 

16 


This  I  find,  /  that  this  band  is  friendly 

To  the  Lord  of  Shieldings.  /  Lead  ye  forth  then 

Your  weeds  and  weapons  ;  /  the  way  I  shew  you. 

Likewise  I  call  /  the  thegns/my  kinsmen 

From  any  foe  /  your  floating  bark, 

Your  ship  on  the  shingle  /  shining  with  tar, 

To  hold  with  honour  /  till  hereafter  she  bear 

Over  the  lake-streams  /  the  man  beloved, 

That  wood  with  winding-prow,  /  to  Weder-mark. 

To  a  man  of  good-will,  /  to  such  is  given 

The  heat  of  battle  /  hale  to  bear." 

Forth  went  they  faring  ;  /  the  floater  abode  still, 

Stood  to  her  cable  /  the  stout-breasted  ship, 

Fast  at  anchor.  /  The  Boar's  image  shone 

Above  the  cheek-guards  /  chequered  with  gold, 

Bright,  burned  to  hardness  ;  /  the  Boar  kept  watch. 

Battle-minded  they  snorted,  /  the  men  burst 

forward, 

Trooped  down  together,  /  till  they  the  timbered  hall 
Gold-decked  and  garnished  /  got  in  sight : 
That  was  the  foremost  /  in  fame  among  folk 
Of  roofs  under  heaven  /  where  the  rich  one  abode; 
The  light  of  it  lightened  /  many  lands. 
To  them  then  the  battle-hero  /  that  house  of  bold 

hearts 

Shewed  where  it  shone,  /  so  that  they  should 
Bear  towards  it  straightway  :  /  that  bairn  of  war 
Wheeling  his  steed  /  a  word  after  spake : 
"  'Tis  time  I  fare  hence  ;  /  may  the  Father 

All-Wielding, 

With  Rod  of  Mercy  /  rule  you  all 
Safe  on  your  ways  !  /  I  will  to  the  sea 
Against  wrathful  warriors  /  watch  to  hold." 


The  street  was  stone-paven,  /  steering  a  path 
For  the  men  together.  /  Each  mail-coat  shone, 
Hard  and  hand-linked,  /  the  ring-iron  bright 
Sang  in  their  sarks,  /  as  soon  to  the  hall, 

17  r 


In  their  griesly  gear  /  going,  they  came. 
They  set,  sea-weary,  /  broad-sided  shields, 
Hardened  bosses  /  by  that  house's  wall  ; 
They  bent  then  to  the  benches  ;  /  their  byrnies 

rang, 

War-mail  of  men  :  /  in  a  mass  there  stood 
Spears,  seamen 's  armour,  /  assembled  together, 
330       Ash-wood  grey-tipped  ;  /  was  that  iron  troop 
Wealthy  in  weapons.  /  Then  a  warrior  brave 
Of  those  athletes  /  their  origin  asked. 
'  Whence  bring  ye  /  these  beaten  shields, 
These  grey  sarks  /  and  shutten  helms, 
This  heap  of  war-shafts  ?  /  I  am  Hrothgar 's 
Usher,  arm-bearer.  /  Ne'er  saw  I  from  elsewhere 
So  many  men  /  in  mood  more  bold. 
I  ween  that  from  pride,  /  not  as  wretches  in 

exile, 

But  sound  in  heart  /  Hrothgar  ye  have  sought." 
340       The  great  in  daring  /  gave  him  answer, 

Proud  Prince  of  Weders  /  a  word  after  spake, 
Hard  under  his  helm  :  /  "  We  are  Higelac's 
Boon-companions.  /  Beowulf  is  my  name. 
I  wish  to  say  /  to  the  son  of  Halfdane, 
To  the  mighty  Prince,  /  this  errand  of  mine, 
To  thy  men's  Elder,  /  if  he  will  allow  it  us 
That  so  good  a  man  /  we  may  greet." 
Wulfgar  spake  :  /  (that  was  a  Wendel  chief ; 
The  way  of  his  mind  /  to  many  was  known, 
350       His  warring  and  wisdom)  :  /  "  That  of  the 

Well-wisher  of  Danes, 
Lord  of  Shieldings,  /  shall  I  ask  ; 
Of  the  Bestower  of  bracelets  /  as  thou  dost  beg 

me, 

Of  the  mighty  King  /  anent  thy  coming  ; 
And  to  thee,  such  answer  /  at  once  make  known 
As  that  good  man  /  may  think  to  give  me." 
He  hied  then  in  haste  /  where  Hrothgar  sate, 
Old  and  hoary  /  amid  his  band  of  earls. 
He  stepped  forth,  strong-hearted,  /  till  he  stood 

by  the  shoulders 

II 


Of  the  Lord  of  the  Danes.  /  He  knew  the  law  of 

the  doughty. 

Wulfgar  spake  /  to  his  willing  Lord  : 
"  Here  are  men  faring,  /  far  hence  coming 
O'er  the  girth  of  ocean,  /  Geatish  folk  ; 
Their  eldest  one  /  the  other  athletes 
Name  Beowulf.  /  And  they  do  beg 
That  they,  my  master,  /  may  with  thee 
Wrestle  in  words.  /  Wherefore  withhold  not 
Thy  consent,  /  courteous  Hrothgar. 
In  their  war-gear  /  worthy  seem  they 
Of  earls'  esteem.  /  Indeed  that  elder  is  doughty, 
He  who  the  battle-men  /  has  brought  hither." 


VI 

Hrothgar  answered,  /  Helm  of  Shieldings  : 

"  I  knew  him  /  as  a  little  knave  ; 

Ecgtheow  was  the  name  /  of  his  old  father, 

To  whom,  to  his  home,  gave  /  Hrethel  the  Geat 

His  only  daughter  ;  /  it  is  his  offspring  now 

Hither  hardily  come,  /  a  kind  friend  seeking. 

They  said  then,  too,  /  the  sea-farers 

Who  the  free  gifts  /  to  the  Geats  ferried, 

Thither  for  thanks,  /  that  he  had  thirty 

Men's  main-strength  /  in  the  mighty  grip 

Of  his  hand,  great-hearted.  /  Him  Holy  God 

For  a  signal  help  /  hath  sent  to  us 

To  the  Wester-Danes,  /  as  I  could  wish, 

Against  Grendel's  grimness.  /  To  this  good-man 

shall  I 

For  his  daring  /  treasures  deal. 
Be  thou  hastening,  /  bid  them  in 
To  my  sight,  this  troop  of  friends  /  assembled 

together ; 

Say  to  them  eke  in  words  /  that  they  are  welcome 
To  the  Danish  people."  /  Then  to  the  door  of  the 

hall 
Wulfgar  went,  /  the  word  announced  from  within  : 

19 


'  Bids  me  say  to  you  /  my  Battle- Sovran, 
The  East-Danes  Elder,  /  that  he  your  origin  kens, 
And  ye  are  to  him,  /  the  sea-waves  over, 
Hardy  of  will,  /  welcome  hither. 
Now  must  ye  go  /  in  your  martial  gear, 
Hidden  under  helmets,  /  Hrothgar  to  see  ; 
Let  your  war-shields  /  here  await  — 
And  your  wooden  corpse-shafts,  /  what  comes  of 

this  word. 

Arose  then  the  rich  one,  /  many  men  round  him, 
400       A  picked  band  of  thegns  ;  /  some  there  abiding 
Watched  over  the  war-gear,  /  as  the  hardy  one 

wished. 

Sped  they  together  /  where  the  guide  shewed  them, 
Under  Heorot's  roof.  /  Strong-hearted  he  went, 
Hardy  under  his  helm,  /  till  in  the  high-place  he 

stood. 

Beowulf  spake  :  /  (on  him  the  byrny  shone, 
A  steel  net  sewed  /  by  the  skill  of  a  smith)  : 
"  Hail  to  thee,  Hrothgar  !  /  I  am  Higelac's 
Cousin  and  kin-thegn  ;  /  much  glory  I  claim 
That  I  gat  in  my  youth.  /  To  me  was  this 

Grendel-matter 
410       On  my  own  turf  /  openly  told  : 

Say  the  sea-farers  /  that  this  hall  standeth, 
Holiest  of  houses,  /  to  the  whole  of  your  men 
Idle  and  useless,  /  soon  as  evening-light 
In  the  house  of  heaven  /  is  hidden  away. 
Then  prevailed  on  me  /  mine  own  people, 
The  best-witted,  /  the  men  of  wisdom, 
Hrothgar,  Sire,  /  that  I  should  seek  thee  ; 
For  the  main-strength  /  of  me  they  knew  ; 
Themselves  had  seen  me  /  when  scatheless  I  came 
420       Blood -foul  from  my  foes,  /  when  five  I  had 

bound, 
When  I  ended  the  etin-kind,  /  and  in  the  ocean 

slew 

Nicors  by  night ;  /  narrow  straits  I  endured, 
Avenged  the  Weders'  sorrows,  /  (woes  had  they 

suffered  !) 

20 


Ground  down  their  grief-wishers.  /  And  now  with 

Grendel  I  shall, 

With  that  devil  /  decide,  I  only, 
The  thing  with  the  giant.  /  This  now  of  thee, 
Prince  of  Bright-Danes,  /  will  I  beg, 
Safe-Guard  of  Shieldings,  /  a  single  boon  ; 
Do  not  thou  refuse  me,  /  Refuge  of  Warriors, 
Dear  Friend  of  thy  folk,  /  now  so  far  I  am  come  ; 
That  I  may,  I  only,  /  with  my  band  of  earls, 
This  handful  of  hardy  ones,  /  cleanse  out  Heorot. 
Have  I  heard  also,  /  how  this  horror 
In  his  wan-heeding  /  of  weapons  recks  not  : 
Hence  I  forswear  /  (so  may  Higelac 
My  master  to  me  /  be  blithe  of  mood,) 
A  sword  to  bear,  /  or  shield  broad-sided, 
Yellow-boss  to  the  battle  ;  /  but  with  bare  hands 

shall  I 

Fight  with  the  fiend,  /  and  the  forfeit  be  life 
Of  foe  against  foe  :  /  have  faith  he  shall 
In  a  doom  divine  /  whom  death  shall  take  : 
Ween  I  that  he  will,  /  if  he  be  the  winner, 
In  this  hall  of  fighters  /  the  folk  of  Geats 
Eat,  all  unfearing,  /  as  oft  he  did 
To  the  might  of  the  Hrethmen.  /  Not  for  me 

needst  thou 

Heap  earth  on  my  head,  /  for  he  will  have  me 
Drearily  dripping,  /  if  me  death  taketh  ; 
When  he  beareth  my  bloody  corpse,  /  thinketh  to 

browse  on  it, 

Eateth  as  alone  he  goeth,  /  all  unmournful, 
Staineth  his  moorland  lair ;  /  nay,  not  for  me 

needest  thou 

For  my  body's  treatment  /  take  thought  longer. 
But  send  to  Higelac,  /  if  me  the  struggle  slay, 
This    best   of   battle-shrouds  /  which   my   breast 

guardeth, 

Rarest  of  harness  ;  /  it  was  HretheFs  leaving, 
Welande's  working.  /  Goeth    aye    Wyrd    as    she 

will." 


21 


VII 

Hrothgar  answered  him,  /  Helm  of  Shieldings  : 
1  To  fight  in  our  defence  thou,  /  my  friend 

Beowulf, 

And  from  kindness  /  art  come  to  us. 
Fought  thy  father  /  in  many  feuds, 

4*0       Happened  he  Heatholaf  /  to  slay  with  his  hand 
Among  the  Wylfmgs  ;  /  then  the  Weder-kin 
For  fear  of  harryings  /  might  not  harbour  him. 
Thereafter  sought  he  /  the  South-Dane  folk, 
Over  heaving  seas  /  the  Honour- Shieldings  ; 
Whenas  first  I  ruled  /  the  folk  of  the  Danes, 
And  held  in  my  youth  /  the  gem-enriched 
Hoard-burgh    of    heroes.  /  Then    was    Heorogar 

dead, 

Mine  elder  brother  /  all  unliving, 
Halfdane's  boy  ;  /  he  was  better  than  I. 

470       Since  then  the  feud  /  with  a  fee  I  finished  ; 

Sent  I  to  the  Wylfings  /  over  the  water's  ridge 

Ancient  treasures  ;  /  oaths  he  swore  to  me. 

In  my  soul  a  sorrow  /  it  is  to  say 

To  any  guest  /  what  Grendel  hath 

Of  humblings  for  Heorot  /  in  his  hateful  thoughts, 

Of  sudden  fears  fashioned  ;  /  the  host  of  my  floor, 

My  war-band  waneth  ;  /  whom  Wyrd  hath  swept 

off 

By  greedy  Grendel.  /  God  easily  can 
Tiiat  dealer  in  madness  /  divide  from  his  deeds. 

480       Full  oft  they  boasted,  /  with  beer  drunken, 
Over  the  ale-bowls,  /  did  my  athletes, 
That  in  the  beer-hall  /  they  would  abide 
GrendePs  onset  /  with  grim  swords. 
Then  was  this  mead-hall  /  in  morning- tide, 
Gore-drenched,  dear  house,  /  whenas  day 

lightened, 

The  benches  all  /  with  blood  were  steaming, 
The  hall  with  sword-drops  ;  /  had  I  henchmen  the 

fewer 
Dear  and  doughty,  /  by  those  whom  death  fordid. 

22 


Sit  thee  now  to  thy  supper  /  and  unseal  thy 

thoughts 
The  tale  of  thy  triumphs  /  as  thy  tongue  may  be 

whetted."' 

Then  for  the  Geat-men  /  gathered  together 
In  the  beer-hall  /  a  bench  was  numbered  ; 
There  to  sit  /  stout-hearted  went  they, 
Assured  in  their  strength.  /  A  thegn  did  service, 
He  that  bare  in  his  arms  /  the  ale-bowl  beautiful, 
Poured  the  pure  drink.  /  At  whiles  the  poet  sang 
High   through    Heorot ;  /  there    was   joy    among 

heroes, 
No  small  draft  /  of  Danes  and  Weders. 


VIII 

Unferth  spake,  /  Ecglafe's  boy, 

Who  sate  at  the  feet  /  of  the  Friend  of  Shieldings, 

Unbound  the  battle-rune  /  (Beowulf's  voyage  was 

to  him, 

Proud-minded  mere-farer,  /  much  annoyance, 
For  he  allowed  not  ever  /  that  any  other  man 
More  of  glory  /  on  this  middle-garth 
Should  hear,  under  heaven,  /  than  he  himself)]: 
"  Art  thou  that  Beowulf  /  who  with  Breca  strove 
On  the  wide  sea,  /  in  swimming  wagered, 
When  ye  twain,  so  brave,  /  of  the  tide  made  trial, 
And  for  a  dolt's  wager  /  in  the  deep  water 
Offered  life  up.  /  Nor  any  man, 
Nor  friend  nor  foe  /  forbid  you  might 
That  sorrowful  sailing,  /  when  on  the  sound  ye 

swam  ; 
Then  was  the  water-stream  /  by  your  arm-strokes 

woven, 
Ye  measured  the  mere-street  /  in  mighty 

handfuls, 
Sped   over  the  Spear-Man  ;  /  splashed  you  the 

ocean. 
Waves  of  winter.  /  Ye  twain  in  the  water's  realm 

23 


Seven  nights  swinked  ;  /  he  in  swimming  outdid 

thee, 

He  had  more  might.  /  Then  in  morning- tide 
On  to  the  Heatho-Raems'  beach  /  the  holm 

upbare  him  ; 
520       Thence  he  sought  /  his  own  sweet  soil, 

He,  loved  of  his  people,  /  the  land  of  Brondings, 
The  fenced-burgh  fair  /  where  he  had  his  folk, 
His  burgh  and  bracelets.  /  All  his  boast  with  thee 
The  son  of  Beanstan  /  in  sooth  fulfilled. 
So  ween  I  for  thee  /  a  worse  outcome, 
Though    in    war-onset    thou  /  wert    everywhere 

winner, 

A  grimmer  duel,  /  if  for  Grendel  thou  darest 
All  night  long  /  and  nigh  to  abide." 
Beowulf  answered,  /  Ecgtheow's  boy  : 
530        *  What  !  Full  many  things,  /  my  friend  Unferth, 
With  beer  drunken  /  of  Breca  hast  spoken, 
Hast  said  of  his  swimming.  /  In  sooth  I  tell  thee, 
That  I  of  mere-strength  /  more  have  owned, 
Endurance  of  waves,  /  than  any  other  man. 
We  two  quoth,  /  being  little  knaves, 
And  we  boasted  /  (we  were  both  of  us  yet 
In  the  spring  of  youth),  /  that  we  over  the 

Spear-Man 

\    Would  dare  our  lives  :  /  and  even  so  did  we. 
^We  held  a  sword  naked,  /  when  we  swam  on  the 

sound, 
540       Hard  in  hand  ;  /  against  the  whale-fishes 

We  thought  to  ward  us.  /  No  whit  from  me 
Afar  on  the  flood-waves  /  might  he  float, 
Hastier  on  the  holm  ;  /  nor  from  him  would  I. 
Thus  we  two  assembled  /  on  the  sea  went 
Five  nights  forth,  /  until  the  flood  scattered  us, 
Weltering  waves  ;  /  and  weather  coldest, 
Darkening  night  /  and  northern  wind 
Rushed  on  us,  war-grim  ;  /  rough  were  the  waters. 
Was  the  mere-fishes'  /  malice  quickened  ; 
550       Then  against  beasts  /  my  body-sark 
Hard,  hand-locken,  /  help  afforded  ; 

24 


A  battle-rail  broidered  /  on  my  breast  lay, 
With  gold  engirdled.  /  Me  to  the  ground  tugged 
A  foe,  a  fiend-scather,  /  fast  he  had  me 
Grimly  gripping  ;  /  'twas  granted  however 
That  I  the  wretch  /  with  my  point  should  reach, 
With  my  battle-bill  ;  /  the  blow  bare  off 
A  mighty  mer-deer  /  by  my  hand. 


IX 

So  round  me  often  /  the  evil-doers 

Were  thickly  thronging.  /  I  thegned  it  them 

With  my  dear  sword,  /  as  was  their  due  ; 

Never  their  fill  /  with  joy  found  they, 

Evil  destroyers,  /  to  eat  of  me, 

Nor  sate  to  their  supper  /  the  sea-ground  near  ; 

But  in  the  morning,  /  mangled  with  blade-wounds 

On  the  banks  of  ocean  /  up  they  lay, 

Soothed  by  the  sword,  /  so  that  never  since 

In  the  high  fords  /  the  sea-farers 

Might  they  let  in  their  journeys.  /  Light  from  the 

East  came, 

Bright  beacon  of  God  ;  /  the  billows  were  smoothed 
Till  the  sea-nesses  /  I  could  spy, 
The  windy  walls.  /  Wyrd  oft  saveth 
An  earl  unfated,  /  who  excels  in  valour. 
However,  it  so  befell  me  /  that  I  finished  with  the 

sword 

Nicors  nine.  /  Nor  by  night  have  I  heard 
Under  heaven's  roof  /  of  harder  fighting, 
Nor  on  ocean's  race  /  of  a  man  more  wretched  ; 
However,  I  felt  the  foe,  /  and  freely  escaped, 
Weary  of  wandering.  /  Then  the  sea  washed  me, 
The  flow  of  the  flood  /  to  the  Finnish  land, 
The  weltering  waves.  /  Not  one  whit  of  thee 
Such  armed  turmoils  /  have  I  heard  tell, 
Nor  bouts  with  bills  ;  /  Breca  never  yet 
In  the  play  of  battle,  /  nor  the  pair  of  you  both 
So  daringly  /  a  deed  performed 

25 


With  shining  sword  /  (I  say  it  not  boasting) 
Though  thou  to  thy  brethren  /  a  bane  hast  been, 
To  the  sons  of  thy  house  ;  /  wherefore  in  hell  thou 

shalt 
Thy  forfeit  fulfil,  /  though  fine  be  thy  wit. 

590       I  say  to  thee  in  sooth,  /  son  of  Ecglaf, 

That  Grendel  never  so  much  /  that  is  gruesome 

had  wrought, 

That  cruel  creature  /  upon  thy  King, 
Nor  humblings  in  Heorot,  /  if  thy  heart  were 
Or  thy  soul  as  stern  /  as  thyself  thou  tellest  ; 
But  he  hath  found  /  that  for  the  feud  he  need  not, 
For  the  cruel  sword-press  /  of  your  people, 
Sit  sorely  troubled  /  by  Triumph- Shieldings  : 
He  takes  pledges  at  need,  /  none  he  spare th 
Of  the  Danish  warriors,  /  but  he  warreth  at 
pleasure, 

600       Slayeth  and  swalloweth,  /  seeketh  no  vengeance 
From  the  Spear-Danes.  /  But  speedily  will  I, 
How  good  and  gallant  /  the  Geats  be  now, 
In  a  match  inform  him.  /  Go  he  after  who  may 
To  his  mead  high-minded  ,  /  when  the  morning's 

light 

Of  an  other  day  /  over  the  offspring  of  men, 
The  sun  swathed  in  brightness  /  from  the  South 

shineth." 

Then  was  he  joyful,  /  the  Jewel- Giver, 
Grey-haired,  war-haughty  ;  /  In  help  he  trusted, 
The    Head    of   the    Bright-Danes  ;  /  heard    from 
Beowulf 

610       The  Herd  of  the  folk,  /  his  fixed  purpose. 

There  was  laughter  of  heroes,  /  loud  resounding  ; 
Words  were  winsome.  /  Went  Wealhtheow  forth, 
The  Queen  of  Hrothgar,  /  heedful  of  custom, 
Gold-decked  she  greeted  /  the   grooms   in   hall  : 
And  that  free-born  wife  /  the  flagon  handed 
First  to  the  East-Danes'  /  Friend  and  Elder, 
Bade  him  be  blithe  /  at  that  beer-tasting, 
Him,  loved  of  his  landsmen  ;  /  he  lustily  took 
The  feast  and  the  flagon,  /  fortunate  King. 

26 


Then  went  around  /  that  Woman  of  the  Helmings, 

To  old  and  young,  /  gave  each  his  share 

Of  the  treasure-cup,  /  till  the  time  was  come 

That  she  to  Beowulf,  /  braceleted  Queen, 

Noble-minded,  /  the  mead-bowl  bare  ; 

Greeted  she  the  Geats'  Prince  ;  /  God  she  thanked, 

Wise  in  her  words,  /  that  her  wish  was 

accomplished, 

That  she  on  any  /  earl  might  reckon 
For  comfort  against  the  curse.  /  The  cup  he  took, 
A  war-fierce  warrior,  /  from  Wealhtheow, 
And  then  brake  into  speech,  /  for  battle  ready  ; 
Beowulf  made  utterance,  /  Ecgtheow's  boy  : 
l<  I  sware  this  oath  /  when  I  sailed  on  the  ocean, 
In  a  sea-boat  sate  /  with  my  soldier-band, 
That,  once  for  all,  /  would  I  your  people's 
Wish  have  wrought,  /  or  warring  have  fallen, 
In  the  fiend's  grip  fast.  /  Fashion  I  shall 
Earl-like  efforts,  /  or  the  end  of  the  days 
Of  me  shall  await  /  in  this  mead-hall. 
To  the  wife  that  word  /  well-liking  seemed, 
The  gest  of  the  Geat ;  /  gold-decked  she  went, 
A  free-born  Folk-Queen,  /  by  her  Friend  to  sit. 
Then  was,  after  as  erst-while,  /  inside  the  hall 
The  proud  word  spoken  ;  /  the  people  rejoiced, 
The  conquerors  clamoured,  /  till  sudden  it  came 
That  Halfdane's  son  /  would  go  to  seek 
His  evening  rest ;  /  he  knew  that  the  evil  one 
That  high  hall  /  did  think  to  harry, 
Soon  as  the  sun's  light  /  see  they  might  not, 
Or,  now  descending  /  night  over  all, 
Shapes  of  the  shadows  /  slinking  came, 
Wan  under  the  welkin.  /  The  warriors  all  arose  ; 
Greeted  each  one  /  then  the  other, 
Hrothgar  Beowulf,  /  and  bade  him  hail, 
Wield  it  in  the  wine-hall,  /  and  this  word  quoth  : 
"  Never  have  I  to  any  men  /  ere  now  entrusted, 
Since  shield  on  fist  /  I  first  might  shew, 
The  noble-hall  of  Danes,  /  but  now  to  thee. 
Have  thou  and  hold  /  this  holiest  of  houses, 


Of  thy  fame  be  mindful,  /  thy  might  make  known, 
660       Watch  for  the  wrath.  /  Nor  thy  wish  shalt  thou 

lack, 
If  all  that  effort  /  alive  thou  endurest." 


Bewent  him  then   Hrothgar  /  with   his   band  of 

heroes, 

Help  of  the  Shieldings,  /  out  of  hall  ; 
He  would,  the  War-Chief,  /  Wealhtheow  seek, 
A  Queen  for  his  couch.  /  He  had,  the  Kings'  Glory, 
Against  Grendel,  /  (so  grooms  heard  tell) 
A  sentinel  set ;  /  who  service  did 
About  the  Danes'  Elder,  /  offered  watch  against 

etins. 

However  the  Geats'  Prince  /  gladly  trusted 
670       In  his  moody  might,  /  in  his  Maker's  Mercy. 
Then  he  did  off /his  iron  byrny, 
His  helm  from  his  head,  /  gave  his  hiked  sword, 
Choicest  of  irons,  /  to  his  armour-bearer, 
And  bade  him  hold  /  the  battle-harness. 
Spake  then  the  brave  one  /  some  boasting  words, 
Beowulf  the  Geat,  /  ere  to  bed  he  went : 
"  Not  in  the  might  of  hosts  /  more  meagre  hold  I 

me, 

In  the  game  of  war,  /  than  Grendel's  self ; 
Therefore  with  the  sword  to  sleep  /  will  I  not  send 

him, 
680       Nor  of  life  dis-use  him,  /  though  all  that  I  may. 

Knows  he  not  the  good  ways  /  gainst  me  to  strike, 

My  round-shield  to  hew,  /  though  rough  he  be 

In  works  of  violence  ;  /  but  we  two  by  night  shall 

Set  aside  the  sword,  /  if  seek  he  dare 

War  without  weapons,  /  and  then  let  Wise  God, 

The  Holy  Lord,  /  on  either  hand 

The  merit  deem,  /  as  meet  He  thinketh." 

Laid  him  down  then  the  Champion,  /  a 

cheek-bolster  took 

28 


The  face  of  the  earl,  /  and  all  around  many 

A  seely  seaman  /  sank  to  rest. 

Not   one   of   them   thought  /  that   therefrom   he 

should 

His  own  loved  earth  /  ever  after  see, 
The  folk  or  the  free-burgh  /  where  he  was  fostered: 
For  they  had  found  /  that  far  too  many  before 
In  that  wine-hall  /  death  had  wasted 
Of  the  Danish  people.  /  But  to  them  the  Divine 

One  gave 

Webs  of  war-speed,  /  to  the  Weder-people 
Solace  and  succour,  /  that  their  foe  they  should 
Through  the  craft  of  one  /  all  overcome, 
By  the  might  of  himself  ;  /  in  sooth  it  is  known 
That  Mighty  God  /  all  mannes-kind 
Through  wide-time  wieldeth.  /  Came  in  the  wan 

night 
Stalking,  the  shadow-goer.  /  The  shooters 

slumbered, 

They  who  the  hall-house  /  should  be  holding, 
All  but  one.  /  This  by  each  was  known 
That  them  he  must  not,  /  If  their  Maker  willed  it 

not, 

The  ceaseless  scather,  /  under  the  shadows  snatch  ; 
But  he,  waking,  /  in  the  wrath's  defiance, 
Abode,  boiling  with  rage,  /  the  battle's  outcome. 


XI 

Then  came  from  the  moor  /  under  misty  slopes 

Grendel  gliding,  /  God's  ire  he  bare  ; 

Was  minded,  that  murderer,  /  of  mannes-kind 

Some  to  ensnare  /  in  that  solemn  hall. 

Waded  he  under  the  welkin  /  till  he  the  wine-house, 

Gold-hall  of  grooms  /  might  get  well  in  sight, 

With  filigrees  fretted  ;  /  nor  was  it  the  first  time 

That  he  Hrothgar's  /  home  had  sought. 

Nor  ever  in  his  days  did  he,  /  ere  nor  after, 

Hardier  hero  /  nor  hall-thegns  find. 

29 


720       Came  then  to  the  house  /  that  creature  hieing, 

From  delights  divided  ;  /  the  door  soon  opened, 
Though  with    fired-bands    fastened,  /  when    his 

fingers  touched  it ; 
Burst  he  in  then  balefully-minded,  /  and  boiling 

he  was, 

The  mouth  of  the  room.  /  Rapidly  after 
On  its  fashioned  floor  /  the  fiend  was  treading, 
On  went  he  ireful,  /  in  his  eyes  there  shone, 
To  leaping-flame  likest,  /  a  light  unlovely, 
Saw  he  in  the  hall  /  heroes  many, 
A  cousin-band  sleeping  /  couched  together, 

730       A   heap   of  friendly   warriors.  /  Then   his   heart 

laughed  out ; 

He  was  minded  to  divide,  /  ere  the  day  came, 
That  ugly  devil,  /  in  each  and  all 
The  life  from  the  limbs  ;  /  then  lust  to  him  came 
Of  feasting  his  fill.  /  Nor  was  it  fated  again 
That  more  he  might  /  of  mannes-kind 
Stomach  after  that  night.  /  A  strong  wrong  beheld 
Higelac's  man,  /  how  the  mortal  scather 
With  his  fearsome  grip  /  would  be  faring. 
Nor  that  did  the  devil  /  think  to  delay, 

740       But  he  seized  swiftly  /  in  his  first  swoop 
A  sleeping  man,  /  unawares  he  slit  him, 
Bit  his  bones '-cover,  /  his  blood-streams  drank, 
Swift  mouthfuls  swallowed  ;  /  soon  he  had 
The  unliving  man  /  all  polished  clean, 
From  his  feet  to  his  fingers.  /  Forth,  nearer,  stepped 

he, 

Took  then  with  his  hands  /  that  highest-minded 
Hero  at  rest  ;  /  reached  out  against  him 
The  fiend  with  his  hand  ;  /  he  quickly  held  him 
With  thoughts  of  envy,  /  and  sate  on  his  arm. 

750       Soon  did  he  find,  /  that  shepherd  of  felonies, 
That  he  had  not  met,  /  in  Middle-Garth, 
In  the  ends  of  the  earth,  /  from  any  other  man 
A  hand-grip  harder  ;  /  he  in  his  heart 
Felt    sore    afraid  ;  /  nor    the    sooner    there-from 
might  he. 

3° 


In  his  mind  was  he  fain  /  into  the  mirk  to  flee, 
The  tribe  of  devils  to  seek  ;  /  nor  was  his  treatment 

there 

Such  as  in  earlier  days  /  he  had  ever  met. 
Was  minded  then  the  gallant  /  mate  of  Higelac 
Of  his  evening-speech.  /  Upright  he  stood, 
And  fast  him  held  ;  /  his  fingers  wrere  bursting  : 
Etin  was  outward  ;  /  Earl  farther  stepped. 
Meant  he,  so  mighty,  /  whereso  he  might 
To  wind  aside,  /  and  on  his  way  thence 
Flee  to  the  fen-lands  ;  /  he  knew  that  his  fingers 

were  held 

In  a  jealous  grip.  /  'Twas  a  joyless  journey 
That  the  harmful-scather  /  to  Heorot  made. 
Dinned  then  the  master-hall ;  /  and  to  the  Danes 

all  seemed  it, 

To  the  chester-dwellers,  /  to  each  of  the  keenest, 
To  the  earls,  an  ale-drought.  /  Ireful  were  both 
Those  cruel  wardens.  /  The  walls  were  crashing  ; 
It  was  a  great  wonder  /  that  the  wine -hall 
Withstood  the  grim-fighters,  /  that  to  the  ground 

it  fell  not, 

The  fair  field-dwelling  ;  /  but  so  fast  it  was 
Inside  and  outside  /  with  iron  bindings, 
By  sage  thought  smithied.  /  Then  from  the  sills 

fell 

Mead-benches  many  /  (my  story  tells) 
With  gold  finished,  /  where  the  foes  grappled  ; 
Nor  weened  ere  then  /  the  wisest  Shieldings 
That  any  among  men  /  could  manage  it  ever 
Beautiful,  bone-decked,  /  to  break  asunder, 
Or  find  out  to  unlock  it,  /  unless  the  flame's 

embrace 

Should  swallow  it  in  smoke.  /  A  sound  ascended 
New  enough  ;  /  on  the  North-Danes  fell 
An  awful  terror  /  on  each  and  all, 
Who  from  the  wall  /  to  his  weeping  hearkened, 
To  God's  enemy  greeting  /  a  griesly  lay, 
No  song  of  triumph,  /  his  sores  bewailing, 


Hell's  bondman.  /  For  held  him  fast 
He  that  of  men  was  /  in  might  the  strongest 
790       In  the  days  /  of  this  our  life. 


XII 

Would  not  the  earls '-buckler  /  for  any  thing 

Let  that  quelling  quester  /  quick  escape  him  ; 

Nor  his  time  on  the  earth  /  to  any  tribe 

Deemed  he  useful.  /  Drew  then  each 

Of  Beowulf's  earls  /  his  ancient  heirloom, 

And  would  his  lordes  /  life  defend, 

The  marvellous  Prince,  /  if  so  they  might. 

For  this  they  wist  not,  /  when  they  waged  against 

him, 
The  hardy-minded  /  men  of  battle, 

800       And  on  every  half  /  they  thought  to  hew  him, 

To  search  out  his  soul  ;  /  that  the  ceaseless  scather 

Not  one  upon  earth  /  of  the  choicest  irons, 

Of  war-bills  none  /  would  there  come  near, 

For  winning  weapons  /  he  had  bewitched, 

And  every  sword-edge.  /  Must  the  end  of  his  time 

In  the  days  /  of  this  our  life 

Be  sorrow-full,  /  and  the  foreign  phantom 

Into  the  fiends'  realm  /  far  must  travel. 

Then  this  he  found,  /  who  freely  erstwhile 

810       In  mirthful  mood  /  against  man-kind 

Had  fashioned  felonies,  /  he,  foes  with  God, 

That  his  live  body  /  might  last  no  longer, 

For  him  the  haughty  /  mate  of  Higelac 

Had  by  the  arm  ;  /  so  each  to  the  other 

While  he  lived  was  baneful.  /  Grief  of  body  he 

bore, 

The  wicked  wretch  ;  /  a  wound  in  his  shoulder, 
A  swelling  sore  shewed  ;  /  the  sinews  sprang  out, 
The  bones '-cover  burst.  /  To  Beowulf  was 
The  glory  given  ;  /  must  Grendel  thence 

820       Sick  of  life  flee  /  under  fenland  slopes, 

Seek  a  joyless  dwelling  ;  /  judged  he  surely 

32 


That  his  evil  life  /  to  an  end  was  come, 
The  tale  of  his  days.  /  For  the  Danes  all  was 
After  that  fatal  fight  /  fulfilment  of  wishes. 
Had  he  then  cleansed,  /  he  that  came  from  afar, 
Wise-head  and  stout-heart,  /  the  hall  of  Hrothgar, 
From  jeopardy  saved  it  ;  /  he  rejoiced  in  that  night's 

work, 

In  his  excellent  strength.  /  To  the  East-Danes  had 
The    Geat-men's   Prince  /  his   proud   boast 

performed, 

So  that  their  miseries  /  all  were  mended, 
The  sorrow  of  enmity  /  they  had  erstwhile 

endured, 

When  in  throes  of  need  /  they  had  to  thole 
Taunts  not  a  little.  /  'Twas  a  token  clear, 
When  that  battle-hero  /  the  hand  laid  down, 
The  arm  and  the  oxter  /  (it  was  all  there  together, 
GrendePs  grip  !)  /  under  the  groined  roof. 


XIII 

Then  were  in  the  morning  /  (my  story  tells) 
Around  the  mead-hall  /  many  a  bold  man  ; 
Fared  the  folk-leaders  /  from  far  and  near 
Over  wide  ways,  /  a  wonder  to  witness, 
The  foot-prints  of  their  foe.  /  That  his  life  was 

finished 
Seemed  no  matter  for  sorrow  /  to  any  of  those 

men 

Who  his  un -triumphant  /  track  regarded, 
How,  weary  at  heart  /  on  his  way  from  thence, 
In  fight  overcome,  /  to  the  fen  of  the  nicors, 
Fordoomed  and  fleeing,  /  he  had  footed  life's  road. 
There  was  his  blood  /  to  the  brink  up-welling, 
Awful  waves,  eddying  /  all  bemingled 
With  boiling  gore,  /  with  blade-drops  surged  ; 
Death-fated  he  dyed  them,  /  when  divided  from 

joys 

In  his  fenland  lair  /  he  laid  down  life, 

33  E 


His  heathenish  soul ;  /  there  hell  him  seized. 
Came  back  there-after  /  the  elder  comrades 
And  youngsters  many,  /  a  jovial   journey, 
From  the  mere,  so  happy,  /  on  horses  mounted 
Boys  upon  bays.  /  There  was  Beowulf's 
Might  proclaimed  ;  /  many  and  oft  quothey 
That  south  nor  north,  /  two  seas  between, 
Over  the  endless  earth,  /  never  another 

860       Under  the  bowl  of  heaven  /  was  there  better, 
A  round-shield  warrior  /  more  worthy  to  rule. 
Nor  did  they  in  their  Friend  and  Lord  /  the  least 

fault  find, 

In  glad  Hrothgar,  /  for  that  was  a  good  King. 
At  whiles,  great  in  battle,  /  they  let  gallop, 
Matched  in  a  race,  /  their  fallow  mares, 
Where  the  field-ways  /  fairest  were  reckoned, 
Kenned  and  chosen.  /  At  whiles  the  King's  thegn, 
A  man  boast-laden,  /  of  ballads  mindful, 
Who  almost  all  /  of  the  olden  sayings 

870       Could  well  remember,  /  fresh  words  would  find, 
With  truth  entwined.  /  He  took  up  his  tale 
Of  the  coming  of  Beowulf,  /  cleverly  weaving  it, 
And  spake  with  good  speed  /  his  skilful  stories, 
Wrestled  in  words  ;  /  well-nigh  all  he  quoth 
That  of  Sigemund  he  /  had  heard  them  say, 
His  mighty  efforts,  /  unknown  things  many, 
The  wars  of  the  Waelsing,  /  his  wide  journeys, 
Whereof  the  sons  of  men  /  were  scarcely  aware, 
Of  feuds  and  of  felonies,  /  save  Fitela  by  his  side, 

880       When  something  of  such  matters  /  would  he  say, 
An  uncle  to  his  nephew,  /  for  so  ever  they  were 
In  fighting  times  /  faithful  comrades  : 
They  had  almost  all  /  of  the  etin-kindred 
Sunk  with  their  swords.  /  Unto  Sigemund  sprang 
After  the  day  of  his  death  /  a  deal  of  glory, 
Since,  hardy  in  war,  /  the  Worm  he  quelled, 
That  herd  of  the  hoard  ;  /  under  a  hoary  stone, 
An  atheling's  son,  /  alone  he  ventured 
A  fearless  deed  ;  /  nor  was  Fitela  with  him  : 

34 


However  it  was  sent  him  /  that  his  sword  went 

through 

That    wondrous    Worm,  /  till  in  the  wall  it  stood, 
A  doughty  iron,  /  and  the  dragon  swooned  in  death. 
He  had,  that  gallant,  /  so  wholly  gained, 
That  the  jewel-hoard  /  he  might  enjoy 
As  himself  listed  ;  /  a  sea-boat  he  loaded, 
Bare  into  the  breast  of  the  ship  /  bright  adornments, 
Did  Waelses  son.  /  The  Worm  its  heat  melted. 
He  was  of  wanderers  /  well  the  most  famous 
In  the  houses  of  men,  /  a  helper  of  warriors 
By  his  daring  deeds  :  /  so  in  days  of  old  throve  he. 
Whenas  Heremodes  /  hardihood  waned, 
His  power  and  his  prowess,  /  amid  the  Eotens  he 

passed 

Into  bondage  of  his  foes  /  forth  betrayed, 
Sent  away  swiftly.  /  Surging  of  sorrows 
Lamed  him  too  long.  /  Throughout  life  he  was 
A  care  to  his  own,  /  to  his  kinsmen  all. 
So  that  often  bewailed  /  in   olden   times 
The  stout-hearted  one's  sailing  /  sage  carls  many 
Who  on  him,  as  a  bulwark  /  against  bale,  had 

believed, 
When,  son  of  their  Kings,  /  he  should  come  to 

manhood, 

Take  his  father's  rulership,  /  reign  over  the  folk, 
The  hoard  and  the  refuge,  /  a  realm  of  heroes, 
Homestead  of  Shieldings.  /  He  was  by  all — 
Higelac's  mate —  /  of  mannes-kind, 
By  his  friends  more  favoured.  /   But  in  felony  the 

other  was  steeped. 

At  whiles  in  races  /  the  yellow  roads 

The  mares'  feet  measured.  /  Then  was  morning's 

light 

Thrust  suddenly  forth.  /  Fared  soldiers  many, 
Haughty-hearted,  /  to  that  high  hall, 
To  see  a  strange  wonder  ;  /  so  himself  too,  the 

King, 
Out  of  the  bride-bower,/  the  bracelet-store's  warden, 

35 


Trod    forth   triumphant,  /  with   a   troop   beyond 

number, 
He,  kenned  and  chosen,  /  and  his  Queen  beside 

him 
The  mead-walk  measured  /  with  her  maiden-band. 


XIV 

Hrothgar  spake  ;  /  he  to  the  hall  going 

Stood  on  the  steps  of  it,  /  saw  the  steep-pitched 

roof 

With  gold  made  lovely,  /  and  Grendel's  hand  : 
"  For  this  ensign  /  to  the  Almighty  thanks 
At  once  be  offered.  /  Many  evils  have  I  borne, 
930       Gins  set  by  Grendel ;  /  ever  may  God  work 
Wonder  upon  wonder,  /  Warden  of  Glory. 
'Tis  not  any  time  /  since  I  from  none 
Of  my  woes  did  ween  /  that  in  the  wide  world 

ever 

I  should  reach  a  remedy,  /  when,  reeking  of  blood, 
This  dearest  of  houses  /  sword-dreary  stood  ; 
Woe  scattered  wide  /  my  wise  men  all 
Who  weened  not  that  they  /  in  the  wide  world 

ever 

Might  the  folk's  cloister  /  close  to  their  foes, 
To  demons  and  devils.  /  Now  a  doughty  one  hath 
940       By  Grace  Divine  /  a  deed  accomplished, 
Where  all  of  us  /  might  not  ever 
Succeed,  for  our  subtilty.  /  What !  Now  may  she 

say, 

Whosoever  the  woman  be  /  who  this  warrior  bore, 
The  latest  of  his  line,  /  if  she  yet  liveth, 
That  God  of  old  /  was  gracious  to  her 
At  her  child-bearing.  /  Now,  Beowulf,  thee, 
Sagest  of  men,  /  as  mine  own  son 
Will   I   love  throughout  life  ;  /  good-luck  attend 

thee 
With  thy  new  kindred  ;  /  be  thou  never  in  need 

36 


95°       Of  thy  wish  in  the  world,  /  while  I  am  wielding 

power. 

Full  oft  and  for  less,  /  fees  have  I  lavished, 
From  my  hoard  have  honoured  /  men  less  hardy, 
Feebler  in  fight.  /  Thy  fame  thou  hast 
Made  so  great  by  thy  deeds  /  that  thy  glory  liveth 
For  ever  and  all  time.  /  May  the  Almighty  with 

thee 

Deal  ever  kindly  /  as  He  did  this  day  !  " 
Beowulf  answered,  /  Ecgtheow's  boy  : 
'  We  this  mighty  work  /  with  great  good  will 
Fought  and  finished  ;  /  fiercely  dared  we 

960       The  rage  of  the  unknown  ;  /  rather  would  I 
That  thou  himself  /  mightest  have  seen, 
The  fiend  in  his  war-gear,  /  wearily  falling. 
Hastily  I,  /  as  hard  I  clasped  him, 
On  his  death-bed  /  thought  to  bind  him, 
So  that,  gripped  by  my  /  muscles,  he  should 
Lie,  for  life  gasping  ;  /  lest  his  body  leap  from  me. 
But  him  I  might  not,  /  for  the  Maker  willed  it  not, 
Keep  from  his  going  ;  /  I  did  not  cling  fast  enough 
To  that  fatal  foe  ;  /  too  forceful  he  was, 

970       The  fiend  on  his  feet.  /  However  his  fingers  he 

left, 

His  life  to  save,  /  and  to  leave  us  a  sign  of  him, 
His  arm  and  his  oxter.  /  Nor  yet  did  he  any 
Happiness  purchase,  /  a  helpless  wight. 
No  longer  he  liveth  /  in  loathly  doings, 
Burdened  with  sins  ;  /  but  sore  pain  hath  him 
In  a  grip  of  necessity  /  narrowly  prisoned, 
In  baleful  bonds  ;  /  there  shall   he  abide, 
A  monster  foul  with  malice,  /  the  mighty  doom 
Which  the  Shining  Maker  /  as  sentence  shall  mete 
him." 

980       Then  a  silent  man  /  was  the  son  of  Ecglaf 
In  boasting  words  /  of  his  battle-works, 
Since  that  the  athelings  /  by  that  earl's  strength 
Over  the  high  roof  /  a  hand  could  see, 
A  fiendes  fingers  /  before  them  all. 
Was  the  stem  of  each  nail  /  to  steel  best  likened, 

37 


Heathenish  hand-spurs,  /  the  battle-hardy  one's 

Talon  unholy  ;  /  then  each  of  them  told 

That  there  was  naught  so  hard  /  that  hold  him 

might, 

Nor  old-tried  iron  /  which  from  that  ogre 
990       The  bloody  battle-fist  /  might  break  away. 


XV 

Then  it  was  hastily  /  ordered  that  Heorot 

withinwards 
Be  made  fair  by  men's  fingers  ;  /  not  a  few  were 

there 

Of  wights  and  of  women  /  who  that  wine-house, 
The  guest-hall  garnished.  /  Gold-broidered  shone 
Webs  on  the  walls,  /  wonder-sights  many 
For  every  soul  /  that  on  such  things  stare th. 
Was  that  bright  building  /  broken  sorely 
Though  inwards  all  /  with  iron-bands  fastened, 
Its  hinges  sundered  ;  /  the  roof  only  still 
jooo     Was  whole  and  sound,  /  when  the  wanton  one 
Foul  with  felonies  /  in  flight  bewent, 
Of  life  unhopeful.  /  Not  easy  is  it 
To  escape  away,  /  make  the  effort  who  will, 
But  each  soul-bearer  /  shall  be  borne, 
By  necessity  bound,  /  of  the  bairns  of  men, 
Of  the  peoples  on  ground,  /  to  the  place  prepared 
Where  his  dear  body,  /  in  its  bed-lair  fast, 
Sleeps  after  life's  supper.  /  Then  was  season  and 

reason 

That  to  the  hall  should  go  /  Halfdane's  son  ; 
1010     The  King  himself  /  would  partake  of  the  supper. 
Nor  have  I  heard  that  a  muster  /  of  men  so  many 
About  their  booty-giver  /  bare  themselves  better. 
Bent  they  then  to  the  benches,  /  abundant  in  wealth, 
With  joy  they  feasted  ;  /  and  fairly  tasted 
Many  a  cup-ful  /  the  kinsmen  of  all  there, 
Hardy  of  heart  /  in  that  hall  so  high, 
Hrothgar  and  Hrothulf .  /  Heorot  within  was 

38 


Filled  with  friends  ;  /  no  fashion  of  treason 
The  Shielding-People  /  shaped  that  while. 
Gave  then  to  Beowulf  /  the  bairn  of  Halfdane 
An  ensign  of  gold  /  to  grace  his  triumph, 
Broidered  shaft-standard,  /  byrny  and  helmet ; 
A  mighty  treasure -sword  /  many  saw  there 
Borne  before  that  brave.  /  Beowulf  took 
The  flagon  on  the  floor,  /  nor  of  that  fee-gift 
Among  the  shooters  /  shamed  need  he  be  ; 
Nor  have  I  heard  that  more  friendliwise  /  four 

treasures 

Any  gold-girdled  /  groups  of  men 
At  the  ale-benches  each  /  upon  other  bestowed. 
About  the  roof  of  that  helmet  /  his  head's  safety, 
With  wires  ywounden,  /  a  wreath  guarded 

without, 
That  the  file-sharp  blades,  /  boldly  aimed,  might 

not, 
Shower- tempered,  scathe  him,  /  when  the 

shield-warrior 

Should  be  going  /  against  his  foes. 
Bade  then  the  Earls '-Buckler  /  eight  horses 
With  fashioned  facings  /  upon  the  floor  be  led 
In  under  the  barriers  ;  /  on  one  of  them  stood 
A  saddle,  tricked  out,  /  with  treasures  shining ; 
That  was  the  captain-seat  /  of  the  High  King, 
When  in  the  play  of  swords  /  the  son  of  Halfdane 
Was  fain  to  flourish  ;  /  never  failed  in  the 

forefront 

His  famous  skill  /  when  the  slain  were  falling. 
And  then  to  Beowulf  /  of  both  these  riches 
The  Prince  of  Ing's  Friends  /  possession  gave, 
Animals   and  weapons  ;  /  bade  him  well  to  use 

them. 

So  manliwise  /  the  Mighty  Lord,  • 

Hoard- Warden  of  heroes,  /battle-horrors 

rewarded 
With  mares  and  with  metal,  /  so  that  never  man 

may  blame  him, 
Who  wishes  to  say  /  the  sooth  as  is  right. 

39 


XVI 

1050     Then  also  on  each  /  the  Lord  of  Earls, 

Of  those  who  with  Beowulf  /  the  brimming-sea 

travelled, 

At  that  mead-bench  /  bestowed  treasures, 
Ancient  heirlooms  ;  /  and  for  that  one  he  bade 
That  gold  be  given,  /  whom  Grendel  lately 
With  malice  had  quelled,  /  as  more  of  them  he 

would, 

Had  not  Wise  God  /  their  wyrd  withstood, 
And  the  might  of  their  man.  /  The  Maker  ruled 

over  all 

The  nations  of  men,  /  as  now  even  He  doth  ; 
Wherefore  is  understanding  /  everywhere  best, 
1060     Forethought  of  mind.  /  Much  shall  he  find 
Of  lovely  and  loathly,  /  he  who  long  here 
In  these  war-days  /  the  world  brooketh. 
There  was  singing  and  sounding  /  assembled 

together 

Before  Halfdane's  /  battle-headsman, 
The  laughter-wood  was  touched,  /  the  lay  oft  told, 
When  of  hall-pleasure  /  Hrothgar's  bard 
Along  the  mead-benches  /  made  announcement. 

'  By  Finnes  offspring,  /  when  fear  gat  hold  of  them, 
The  hero  of  Half-Danes,  /  Hnaef  of  the  Shieldings 

1070     In  Frisian  fight  /  to  fall  was  fated. 

No  wise  did  Hildeburh  /  need  to  honour 
The  troth  of  the  Eotens  ;  /  unsinning,  she  was 
Lorn  of  her  loved  ones  /  at  that  linden-play, 
Of  her  boys  and  her  brothers  ;  /  they  bowed  to 

their  fate, 
Wounded   with    spears  ;  /  that   was    a    sorrowful 

woman. 

Nor  without  due  reason  /  did  Hocces  daughter 
The  Maker's  Doom  mourn  /  when  morning  came, 
When  under  the  sunshine  /  she  might  see 
Her  men  lie  murdered  /  where  most  she  had  held 

1080     Of  joys  in  the  world.  /  War  took  off  all 

40 


Of  Finnes  thegns,  /  except  a  few  only, 

So  that  he  might  not  /  in  the  meeting-place 

Fight  one  whit  /  in  war  with  Hengest, 

Nor  his  sorry  few  /  by  fighting  save 

From  the  Prince's  thegn.  /  But  they  offered  in 

payment 
That  another  place  for  him  /  they  would  have  all 

ready, 

A  hall  and  a  high-seat  ;  /  that  half  of  the  lordship 
They  might  own  and  share  /  with  the  sons  of  the 

Eotens  ; 

And  that  at  fee-givings  /  Folcwalda's  son 
Every  day  /  the  Danes  should  endow, 
Hengest 's  host  /  with  rings  should  honour, 
With  even  so  much  /  of  massed  treasures, 
Of  fashioned  gold,  /  as  he  the  Frisian  kin 
In  the  beer-hall  /  would  embolden. 
Then  they  trysted  /  on  the  two  sides. 
A  fast  peace -compact ;  /  Finn  to  Hengest 
In  strength,  unstriving,  /  with  oaths  did  swear 
That  he  the  woeful  few,  /  by  his  wise  men's  decree, 
Would  nourish  with  honour,  /  so   that  no  man 

there 

By  words  or  by  works  /  should  wreck  the  treaty, 
Nor  by  evil  cunning  /  ever  undo  it, 
Though  they  their  sovran's  /  slayer  should  follow 
Master-less,  /  as  needs  they  must ; 
But  if  any  of  the  Frisians,  /  fool-hardy  in  speech 
Of  that  murderous  hatred  /  mindful  were, 
Then  the  sword's  edge  /  should  avenge  it. 
The  pact  was  plighted,  /  and  precious  gold 
Borne  up  from  the  hoard.  /  The  Army-Shieldings' 
Best  man-of-battle  /  on  his  bier  lay  ready  ; 
On  that  pyre  was  /  plainly  seen 
A  blood-stained  sark,  /  a  Swine  all-golden, 
Iron-hard  Boar,  /  and  athelings  many 
Struck  down  by  their  wounds  ;  /  some  in  the  strife 

had  fallen. 

Bade  she  then,  Hildeburh,  /  that  on  Hnaefes  pyre 
Her  own  self's  sons  /  to  the  flames  be  sent, 

41 


Their  bodies  for  burning  /  on  the  bier  to  don  ; 
Her  hand  on  his  shoulder  /  sorrowed  that  lady, 
With  lays  lamented.  /  The  lord  arose  ; 
Curled   up   to    the    clouds  /  of  corpse-fires  the 

greatest, 

1 1 20  Roared  before  the  mound  ;  /  their  heads  melted, 
Wound-gates  burst  open ;  /  then  blood  sprang  out 
From  bodies  foe-bitten.  /  The  flame  all  swallowed, 
Most  gluttonous  ghost,  /  those  whom  the  war  had 

gotten, 
Of  both  the  folks  ;  /  their  bloom  was  scattered. 


XVII 

» 

Departed  those  valiants  /  to  visit  their  dwellings, 
Forlorn  of  their  friends,  /  Friesland  to  see, 
Their  homes  and  high  burgh.  /  Hengest  all  through 
That  death-stained  winter  /  dwelt  with  Finn 
In  strength  unstriving  ;  /  his  homestead  he 
remembered, 

1130     Although  he  might  never  /  over  the  mere  drive 

His  ringed-stem  ;  /  with  storms  the  holm  weltered, 
Warred  with  the  wind.  /  Winter  locked  the  waves 
Ice-ybounden,  /  till  that  there  came  another 
Year  in  the  garths,  /  even  as  yet  doth 
(What,  surely,  aye  /  observes  the  season) 
Glory-bright  weather.  /  Then  was  winter  scattered, 
Fair  was  the  field's  bosom,  /  forth  went  the  exile, 
The  guest  from  the  garths  ;  /  he  of  grief's  avenging 
Sooner  thought  /  than  of  sea-faring, 

1 140     If  he  a  bitter  meeting  /  might  bring  about, 
That  the  men  of  the  Eotens  /  therein  be 

remembered. 

So  he  did  not  refuse  /  the  world's  ruling 
When  Hunlafing  /  the  light  of  battle, 
The  best  of  blades  /  in  his  bosom  thrust  ; 
Whose  edges  were  /  to  the  Eotens  known. 
So  to  fearless-hearted  /  Finn  befell 
Sword-death  savage  /  to  himself  at  home, 

42 


When  the  grim  grappling  /  Guthlaf  and  Oslaf 

After  sea-sailing  /  in  sorrow  lamented, 

Charged  him  with  a  share  of  their  woes  ;  /  nor 

might  he  the  wavering  life 

Hold  in  his  breast.  /  Then  the  hall  was  bestrewn 
With  bodies  of  foemen  ;  /  Finn  likewise  was  slain, 
A  King  mid  his  courtiers  /  and  the  Queen  taken. 
The  shooters  of  the   Shieldings  /  to  their  ships 

carried 

All  the  inward  furnishings  /  of  that  earthly  King, 
Which  in  Finnes  home  /  they  might  be  finding, 
Sun-jewels,  subtle -gems.  /  Then  on  the  sea-way 
His  courtly  dame  /  to  the  Danes  they  carried, 
Led  her  to  her  people." 

The  lay  was  sung, 

The  gleeman's  gest.  /  Joy  after  arose, 
Bright  grew  the  bench-sound  ;  /  Bearers  gave  out 
Wine  from  wondrous  vessels.  /  Then  came 

Wealhtheow  forth 
Going  beneath  a  golden  crown,  /  even  where  the 

goodly  twain 
Sate,  the  uncle  and  the  nephew  ;  /  still  were  they 

each  at  peace  together, 
Each  of  them  was  true  to  the  other.  /  So  there 

Unferth,  too,  the  spokesman, 
Sate  by  the  feet  of  the  Shieldings'  Father  ;  /  all  of 

them  in  his  feeling  trusted, 
That  he  had  a  cruel  courage,  /  though  he  was  not 

to  his  kinsmen 
Loyal,  with  the  sword -edge  playing.  /  Spake  then 

the  Lady  of  the  Shieldings  : 
1  Take  thou  this  flagon,  /  free-lord  of  mine, 
Heaper  of  treasure,  /  happy  be  thou, 
Gold -friend  of  men,  /  and  to  the  Geats  speak 
In  mild  words,  /  as  a  man  should  do. 
Be  glad  with  the  Geats,  /  of  gifts  be  mindful ; 
Near  and  far,  /  thou  now  peace  findest. 
Men  have  said  to  me  /  that  thou  for  thy  son  wouldst 
Have  this  hero.  /  Heorot  is  cleansed, 
Bright  hall  of  jewels  ;  /  enjoy  while  thou  mayest 

43 


Comforts  many,  /  and  to  thy  kindred  leave 
Folk  and  kingdom  /  when  forth  thou  must, 

1 1 80     To  meet  thy  Maker.  /  I  know  mine  own 

Gracious  Hrothulf,  /  that  our  youth  he  will 
Hold  in  honour,  /  if  thou  sooner  than  he, 
Lover  of  Shieldings,  /  leavest  the  world  : 
Ween  I  that  he  good  things  /  will  yield  again 
To  our  own  offspring,  /  if  all  he  remembers 
That  we  two  for  his  wish  /  and  his  worship  of  old 
When  he  was  a  child  /  in  his  honour  planned." 
Turned  she  then  by  the  bench  /  where  her  boys 

were, 
Hrethric  and  Hrothmund,  /  and  the  heroes'  bairns, 

1190     The  youths  together  ;  /  there  the  good  one  sate, 

Beowulf  of  the  Geats,  /  by  those  brethren  twain. 


XVIII 

To  him  was  the  flagon  borne,  /  and  friendly 

bidding 

Given  in  words,  /  and  wounden  gold 
Gladly  offered,  /  arm-girdles  twain, 
Rings  and  a  garment,  /  the  greatest  of  necklets 
Whereof  I  on  this  earth  /  was  ever  told. 
Nor  under  the  sky  have  I  /  heard  of  any  seemlier 
Treasure  hoard  of  heroes,  /  since  Hama  bore  off 
To  that  bright  burgh  /  the  Brosings'  collar, 
1200     The  crown  and  the  casket ;  /  from  the  cunning  he 

fled 

Of  Eormanric,  /  chose  the  Eternal  Rule. 
That  ring  had  also  /  Higelac  the  Geat, 
Grandson  of  Swerting,  /  on  his  last  sailing, 
When  he  under  his  banner  /  the  booty  guarded, 
Fenced  the  spoils  of  the  slain  ;  /  him  fate  sped 

hence, 

When  in  wanton  pride  /  woes  he  suffered, 
A  feud  with  the  Frisians.  /  He  that  finery  wore, 
Costly  stones,  /  on  the  cup  of  the  waters, 
Richest  of  princes  ;  /  under  his  shield  he  perished. 

44 


Lay  then  in  the  Franks'  keeping  /  the  life  of  that 

King, 

His  body's  clothing  /  and  the  collar  therewith  ; 
Evil  prowlers  /  his  corpse  plundered 
By  the  fortune  of  war  ;  /  the  folk  of  the  Geats 
Held  that  field  of  slaughter. 

The  hall  filled  with  sound. 
Wealhtheow    began    then,  /  before    the    warriors 

spake  : 

'  This  bended-work  use,  /  Beowulf,  beloved 
Youth,  with  good  luck,  /  and  this  garment  wear, 
The  people's  treasures,  /  and  prosper  well. 
Shew  thyself  in  thy  strength,  /  and  to  these 

striplings  give 

Kindly  rede  ;  /  thy  reward  I  will  remember. 
So  hast  thou  fared,  /  that  far  and  near 
All  their  lives  long  /  shall  men  esteem  thee, 
Even  so  far  abroad  /  as  the  sea  is  bowed  about 
Windy  earth-walls.  /  Be  while  thou  livest 
A  wealthy  atheling  ;  /  I  wish  thee  much 
Store  of  treasures.  /  Be  to  these  sons  of  mine 
Helpful  in  thy  deeds.  /  Uphold  them  in  happiness. 
Here  is  every  earl  /  by  the  others  trusted, 
Mild  of  mood,  /  to  the  Master  loyal, 
The  thegns  are  kindly,  /  the  commons  all  in 

readiness. 

Drinking,  the  nobles  /  do  as  I  bid  them." 
Went  she  then  to  her  seat.  /  There  was  of  suppers 

the  choicest, 

Drank  wine  those  wights  ;  /  Wyrd  they  knew  not, 
The  forecast  grim  /  that  was  falling  upon 
Many  an  earl.  /  Soon  as  evening  came, 
And  Hrothgar  bewent  him  /  to  his  own  home 
A  rich  man  to  his  rest,  /  guarded  that  roof 
Earls  unnumbered,  /  as  often  of  old  they  had  done. 
The  bench-tree  they  bared  ;  /  it  was  over-borne 
With  beds  and  with  bolsters.  /  Of  the  beer-sharers 

one 

Fey  and  fated  /  to  his  floor- rest  bent. 
Set  they  by  their  heads  /  their  shields  of  war, 

45 


Board-wood  bright  ;  /  on  the  bench  there  was 
Over  each  atheling  /  easily  seen 
A  battle-steep  helmet,  /  a  ringed  byrny, 
A  mighty  spear- wood.  /  Their  manner  it  was 
That  they  ever  were  /  for  war  all  ready 
Or  at  home  or  in  the  host,  /  or  howso  it  might  be 
Even  at  such  times  /  as  to  their  sovran  lord 
1250     The  need  might  come  ;  /  that  was  a  kindly  race. 


XIX 

They  sank  then  to  sleep.  /  One  sorely  paid  for 
His  evening-rest,  /  as  full  oft  it  befell  them 
What  time  the  golden  hall  /  Grendel  haunted, 
And  wrought  unrightly  /  until  his  end  came, 
Slaughter  after  his  sins.  /  Then  seemingly  was  it 
Known  widely  of  men  /  that  a  wreaker  of 

vengeance  still 

Lived  after  that  loathly  one,  /  long  time  enough 
After  the  griefs  and  murders  ;  /  Grendel's  mother, 
A  woman,  a  monster-wife,  /  her  woes  remembered, 
1 2  60     She  who  in  dread  waters  /  her  dwelling  must  keep, 
In  coldest  streams  ;  /  since  Cain  became 
With  his  blade  the  bane  /  of  his  only  brother, 
The  seed  of  his  father  ;  /  then  forth  into  exile  went 

he, 
Marked  with  that  murder,  /  from  men's  joys 

fleeing  ; 
In  the  wastes  he  wandered.  /  Awoke  from  him 

many 

Ghosts  fore-ordained,  /  and  Grendel  one  of  them, 
That  hateful  sword -wolf  /  who  in  Heorot  found 
A  watching  man  /  his  warfare  abiding. 
There  was  the  griesly  one  /  groping  after  him  ; 
1270     Howbeit  he  remembered  /  his  mighty  strength, 
The  gift  firm-set  /  which  God  had  sent  him  ; 
And  himself  to  the  Father's  /  favour  entrusted, 
For  comfort  and  kindness  ;  /  whereby  he 

overcame  the  fiend, 

46 


Felled  the  hell-ghost,  /  who  gat  him  forlorn, 

From  delights  divided,  /  his  death-place  to  seek, 

Man-kindes  foe.  /  And  so  now  his  mother, 

A  glutton  gloom-minded  /  was  for  going 

A  sorrowful  voyage  /  her  son's  death  to  avenge  ; 

Came  she  then  to  Heorot,  /  where  the  Ring-Danes 

Through  the  hall  were  sleeping.  /  Then,  there, 

swiftly,  was 

A  change  for  the  earls,  /  when  in  on  them  charged 
Grendel's  mother.  /  Was  her  grimness  less 
By  even  so  much  /  as  a  maiden's  strength  is, 
A  wife's  war-grimness  /  than  a  weaponed  man's, 
When  the  hilted  blade,  /  by  a  hammer  beaten, 
When  the  sword  blood-stained  /  the  Swine  on  the 

helmet 

Of  the  enemy  sheareth,  /  doughtily  edged. 
Then  was  in  hall  /  the  hard-edge  drawn, 
The  sword  over  the  seats,  /  and  shield-rings  many 
Held  fast  in  hand  ;  /  of  helmet  he  recked  not, 
Nor  of  spreading  byrny,  /  whom  that  horror 

seized. 

She  was  in  haste,  /  would  hie  away  thence 
For  safety,  as  soon  /  as  she  was  seen  ; 
At  once,  of  the  athelings  /  one  she  had 
Fast  in  her  fangs  ;  /  then  fenwards  she  went. 
He  was  Hrothgar's  /  dearest  henchman, 
By  the  custom  of  comrades,  /  two  coasts  between, 
A  rich  shield-warrior,  /  whom  she  brake  in  his 

rest, 

A  baron  well-famed.  /  Nor  was  Beowulf  there, 
For  another  inn  /  was  erewhile  allotted, 
After  treasure-giving,  /  to  the  mighty  Geat. 
Arose  shouting  in  Heorot  ;  /  she  in  its  blood  took 
A  hand  they  kenned  ;  /  their  care  was  renewed, 
Grew  in  the  dwellings.  /  That  deal  was  not  good 
Which  they  on  both  sides  /  had  to  barter, 
The  lives  of  friends.  /  Then  was  the  learned  King, 
Hoary  warrior,  /  harshly  minded, 
When  his  elder  thegn  /  all  unliving, 


47 


His  dearest  soldier,  /  dead  he  saw. 

1310     Swiftly  to  the  bower  /  was  Beowulf  summoned, 
The  man  of  triumph  ;  /  with  the  twilight  of  dawn 
Went  mid  his  carles  /  the  excellent  champion, 
Himself  with  his  comrades  /  where  the  sage  King 
Wondered  whether  the  Almighty  /  ever  would 
After  that  chapter  of  woe  /  work  him  any  change. 
Went  then  over  the  floor  /  the  man  famed  in  armies 
With    his    handful    following,  /  (the    hall-wood 

dinned) 

That  he  the  wise  one  /  in  words  might  greet, 
The  Lord  of  Ing's  Friends,  /  might  ask  if  so  it 
was, 

1320     After  this  call  in  need,  /  that  the  night  had  been 
quiet. 


XX 


Hrothgar  spake,  /  the  Helm  of  Shieldings  : 

"  Ask  not  thou  of  our  safety  ;  /  sorrow  is  renewed 

In  the  Danish  people.  /  Dead  is  /Eschere, 

Yrmenlafe's  /  elder  brother, 

My  rune-binder  /  and  my  rede-bearer, 

Who  stood  by  my  shoulder  /  when  we  in  the  shock 

Fended  our  heads  /  in  the  footmen's  onset, 

When  crests  were  shattered.  /  So  should  an  earl 

be 

Ever  good  ;  /  so  /Eschere  was. 
1330     In  Heorot  was  /  the  hand  that  slew  him 

A  wandering  death-guest's,  /  nor  wot  I  whither 
That  terror,  carrion-proud,  /  turned  again 

homewards, 

In  the  fame  of  her  feast.  /  She  the  feud  has  avenged 
Wherein   thou,   yesternight  /  Grendel   quelledst, 
By  thy  hardihood  /  harshly  clasping  him, 
For  that  he  too  long  /  my  loyal  people 
Beset  and  brought  low.  /  He  bowed  in  the  battle 
At  the  cost  of  his  life  ;  /  and  now  another  is  come, 

48 


A  mighty  murdress,  /  her  man  would  avenge, 

And  farther  hath  /  the  feud  carried, 

Wherefore  may  it  be  thought  /  by  many  a  thegn, 

Who  for  his  treasure-giver  /  in  his  soul  greeteth, 

A  heart-sorrow  hard  ;  /  now  the  hand  low  lieth 

That  to  each  among  you  /  yielded  his  desire. 

I  the  land-dwellers,  /  my  loyal  people, 

The  sage  men  in  hall,  /  I  have  heard  them  say 

That  they  have  seen  /  such  a  twain 

Of  mighty  march-steppers  /  holding  the  moors, 

Ghosts  of  Elsewhere  ;  /  one  of  them  was, 

As  with  most  certainty  /  they  might  perceive, 

In  a  woman's  likeness ;  /  the  other,  to 

wretchedness  doomed, 
In  a  man's  image  /  the  exile-ways  trod, 
Save  that  he  was  mightier  /  than  any  man  other, 
Who  in  days  of  yore  /  Grendel  was  named 
By  the  field-dwellers  ;  /  of  his  father  they  know 

not 

Whether  any  for  him  /  was  ever  begotten 
Among  ghosts  of  darkness.  /  In  a  doubtful  land 
Dwell  they,  wolf -slopes,  /  windy  nesses, 
Fearsome  fen-paths,  /  where  the  force  from   the 

mountains 

Under  misty  nesses  /  netherwards  floweth, 
A  flood  under  the  fields.  /  'Tis  not  far  from  hence 
As  miles  are  marked  /  that  the  mere  standeth, 
Above  which  hang  /  rimy  bowers, 
A  wood  fast-rooted  /  the  water  o'ershadows. 
There  will,  every  night,  /  a  wonder  be  seen, 
Fire  in  the  flood.  /  There  is  none  found  so  wise 
Of  the  sons  of  men,/  who  has  sounded  those  depths. 
Though    the    heath-stepper,   /   by    hounds    sore 

swinked, 

The  hart  strong  of  horn  /  the  holt-wood  seek, 
Put  to  flight  from  afar  ;  /  life  freely  he  selleth, 
His  soul  on  the  shore,  /  sooner  than  therein  will 

he 

Hide  his  head.  /  'Tis  no  happy  spot,  that  ; 
Thence  an  eddying  wave  /  ascendeth  upwards, 

49  F 


Wan  to  the  welkin,  /  when  the  wind  stirreth 
Loathly  weather,  /  till  the  lift  darkeneth, 
The  heavens  weep.  /  Now  wisdom  belongs 
Again  to  thee  only.  /  That  airt  yet  thou  knowest 

not, 

The  marshes  of  fear  /  where  thou  mayest  find 
That  soul  full  of  sins.  /  Seek  if  thou  darest. 
1380     I  will  thee  for  the  fight  /  with  a  fee  reward, 
With  olden  treasures,  /  as  erst  I  did, 
With  wounden  gold,  /  if  away  thou  comest." 


XXI 

Beowulf  answered,  /  Ecgtheow's  boy  : 

"  Sorrow  not,  old  sage  ;  /  better  serves  it  that  each 

man 

His  friend's  murder  avenge,  /  than  much  mourning. 
Every  one  of  us  /  the  end  must  await 
Of  life  in  the  world,  /  let  him  win  who  may 
Fame  before  death  ;  /  that  is  for  a  fighting  man 
Whose  life  is  over  /  thereafter  best. 

1390    Arise,  Realm -Warden,  /  let  us  run  forth, 
G  renders  kinswoman  /  go  we  tracking. 
I  swear  to  thee  this  /  that  she  shall  not  escape  me 
In  folds  of  the  earth  /  nor  in  mountain  forests, 
Nor  on  ocean-ground,  /  go  where  she  will. 
This  day  therefore  /  do  thou  have  patience 
In  each  of  thy  woes,  /  as  I  wish  of  thee. 
Upleaped  then  the  greybeard,  /  God  he  thanked, 
The  Mighty  Lord,  /  for  what  the  man  had  spoken. 
Then  for  Hrothgar  /  a  horse  was  bridled, 

1400     A  charger  with  woven  mane  ;  /  the  wise  old  Prince 
Went  forth  in  state  ;  /  stepped  out  the  war-band 
Of  shield-bearers.  /  The  track  was  shewing, 
Along  the  wood-paths  /  widely  seen, 
Footprints  over  the  ground  ;  /  she  had  gone  for 
ward 

Over   the   murky   moor,  /  their   mate-thegn   had 
borne, 

5° 


Of  soul  bereft,  /  the  best  of  them 

Who  with  Hrothgar  /  the  home  had  guarded. 

The  son  of  the  athelings  /  then  went  over 

Steep  stone-cliffs,  /  strait  passages, 

Single  tracks,  /  a  road  untrodden, 

Beetling  nesses,  /  nicor-houses  many  ; 

He  went  first,  /  with  him  a  few 

Prudent  men,  /  the  plain  to  espy, 

Until  in  a  trice  /  the  mountain  trees 

He  found  o'erhanging  /  a  hoary  stone, 

That  joyless  wood  ;  /  the  water  stood  under, 

Drumling,  blood-dreary.  /  To  the  Danes  all  was, 

To  the  friends  of  Shieldings,  /  sorrow  of  soul 

For  many  a  thegn  /  that  he  had  to  thole, 

Trouble  for  each  of  the  earls  /  whenas  ^Eschere's 

Head  they  met  /  on  that  holm-cliff. 

The  flood  surged  with  blood  /  (the  folk  saw  that) 

With  heart-drops  hot.  /  The  horn  now  sang, 

Sounding  to  battle.  /  The  soldiers  all  sate  ; 

They  saw  then  in  the  water  /  of  the  worm-kind 

many, 

Strange  sea-dragons  /  swimming  the  sound, 
Also,  on  the  ness-slopes,  /  nicors  lying, 
(Who  in  the  first  daylight  /  often  follow 
A  sorrowful  course  /  on  the  sail-road), 
Worms  and  wild-deer  ;  /  away  they  hurried, 
Bitter  and  belching,  /  the  blast  they  had  heard, 
The  war-horn  yelling.  /  One  the  Yeats'  Prince 
With  his  leaping  bow  /  bereft  of  life, 
Of  his  strife  with  the  waves,  /  so  that  stood  in  his 

guts 

The  harsh  war-arrow  ;  /  he  on  the  holm  was 
Slower  in  swimming,  /  for  death  then  seized  him. 
Swiftly  was  he  on  the  billows  /  by  their  boar-sprits 
Sharply  hooked,  /  hard  bested, 
Cruelly  pressed  /  and  pulled  on  the  cliff, 
A  wondrous  wave-breaster  ;  /  the  warriors  looked 
On  their  griesly  guest.  /  Girded  him  Beowulf 
In  the  weeds  of  an  earl,  /  nor  recked  at  all  of  life  ; 
He  would  in  his  war-byrny,  /  braided  by  hand, 

5« 


Broad  and  broidered  with  skill,  /  brave  the  deep 

sound  ; 

Well  could  it  shelter  /  the  sheath  of  his  bones 
That  the  battle-grip  /  might  not  his  breast, 
Nor  the  angry  clutch  /  his  spirit  injure  ; 
But  the  white  helmet  /  his  head  warded, 
Which  on  the  mere's  floor  /  was  to  mingle, 
1450     To  seek  the    sound's    tumult —  /  with    treasure 

made  worthy, 

With  fine  chains  compassed,  /  as  in  former  days 
The   weapon-smith    wrought   it,  /  with   wonders 

adorned  it, 

Beset  it  with  Swine-figures,  /  so  that  since  then  no 
Brand  nor  battle-blade  /  managed  to  bite  it. 
Nor  was  that  the  meanest  /  of  main-supports 
Wherewith    Hrothgar's    spokesman  /  helped    him 

in  his  need  ; 

That  hafted  blade  /  Hrunting  was  named  ; 
Twas  one  of  the  foremost  /  of  ancient  treasures  ; 
Its  edge  was  of  iron,  /  etched  with  poison-twigs, 
1460     Hardened  in  the  blood  of  hosts  ;  /  never  in  battle 

had  it  failed 

Any  man  /  whose  arm  had  clasped  it, 
Who  the  way  of  terror  /  dared  to  tread, 
The  field  of  foemen  ;  /  'twas  not  the  first  time 
That  an  excellent  work  /  it  wras  to  accomplish. 
Indeed  he  recalled  not,  /  Ecglaf's  kinsman 
Strong  in  might,  /  what  he  had  spoken  before, 
With  wine  drunken,  /  when  that  weapon  he  lent 
To  a  better  swordsman  ;  /  himself,  he  durst  not 
Under  the  rush  of  the  waves  /  risk  his  life, 
1470     Act  with  lordship  ;  /  lost  he  thereby  glory, 

An  excellent  fame  ;  /  'twas  not  so  with  the  other 
When  he  for  the  assault  /  had  armed  himself. 


XXII 

Beowulf  spake,  /  Ecgtheow's  boy  : 

"  Bethink  thee  now,  mighty  /  man  of  Halfdane, 

52 


Duke  most  wise,  /  now  that  for  the  deed  am  I  ready, 
Gold-friend  of  thy  lads,  /  of  what  lately  we  said 
That  if  I  should,  /  sharing  thy  need, 
Of  life  be  stripped,  /  thou  wouldst  stand  to  me 

ever, 

When  forth  I  have  fared,  /  in  a  father's  place. 
Do  thou  be  kind  /  to  my  kinsmen-thegns, 
My  boon-companions,  /  if  me  the  battle  take  ; 
Do  thou  also  the  treasures  /  that  in  tribute  thou 

gavest  me, 

Hrothgar  dearest,  /  to  Higelac  send. 
May  he  learn  then  from  that  gold,  /  the  Lord  of 

the  Geats, 
May  Hrethel's  son  see,  /  when  on  that  hoard  he 

stare  th, 

That  I  had  found  /  a  fine  and  good 
Jewel-giver,  /  and  had  joy  while  I  might. 
And  do  thou  let  Unferth  /  the  old  heirloom, 
The    well-wrought    wave-sword,  /  — a    widely 

known  man 

Have  that  hard  edge.  /  For  me,  I  with  Hrunting 
Glory  will  gain,  /  or  death  shall  get  me." 
After  those  words  /  the  Weder-Geats'  Prince 
Sped  boldly  on  ,  /  nor  any  answer 
Would  he  abide  ;  /  the  brimming  flood  whelmed 
That  man  of  battle.  /  'Twas  the  breadth  of  a  day 
Ere  he  might  get  /  to  the  ground  beneath. 
Soon  found  she  out  /  who  the  flood's  extent 
Had  held,  a  sword-glutton,  /  an  hundred  seasons, 
Grim  and  greedy,  /  that  some  groom  there 
That  home  of  else-things  /  over  head  was  scouting. 
She  groped  then  towards  him ;  /  the  warrior  gripped 
In  an  awful  clutch  ;  /  not  at  all  might  she  scathe 
His  hale  body  ;  /  the  rings  without  guarded  him, 
So  that  through  his  coat  of  mail  /  she  might  not 

come  at  him, 
Through    the     locken    limb-sark  /  with    loathly 

fingers. 
Bare  then  the  mer-wolf,  /  when  to  the  bottom  she 

came, 

53 


The  ringed  Prince  /  to  her  own  place, 
So  that  he  might  not,  /  for  all  his  proud  mind, 
Wield  his  weapons  ;  /  for  such  wondrous  things 
1510     Swinked  him  in  the  sound,  /  sea-deer  many 
With  worrying  tusks  /  his  war-sark  tare, 
Chased  him  the  creatures.  /  Then  the  earl  knew 
That  he  was  in  some  or  other  /  enemy's  hall, 
Where  no  water  /  a  whit  might  scathe  him, 
Nor,  for  the  hall's  roof,  /  might  get  hold  upon 

him 

The  fierce  grip  of  the  flood  ;  /  fire-light  he  saw, 
A  blinding  gleam  /  that  brightly  shone. 
The  good  one  grew  ware  then  /  of  the 

ground-lying  wolf, 

A  mighty  mer-wife  ;  /  a  main-stroke  he  gave  her 
1520     W7ith  his  sword  of  battle,  /  nor  its  swing  did  his 

hand  withhold, 

Till  the  ring-set  sword  /  rang  out  on  her  head 
A  greedy  war-lay.  /  Then  her  guest  found 
That  his  battle-gleamer  /  would  not  bite, 
Nor  fetch  to  her  heart,  /  but  the  edge  of  it  failed 
The  lord  in  his  need.  /  It  had  lasted  many 
Hard-fought  meetings,  /  helms  oft  had  shorn, 
Fated-men's  war-coats  ;  /  this  was  the  first  time 
For  the  goodly  weapon  /  that  its  glory  waned. 
Still  was  he  purposeful,  /  of  his  prowess  lost 

nothing  ; 
1530     Of  his  honour  mindful  /  was  Higelac's  mate. 

Threw  down  then  the  banded  sword  /  with  jewels 

blended 

That  angry  warrior,  /  so  that  on  the  earth  it  lay, 
Stiff  and  steel-edged.  /  In  his  strength  he  trusted, 
Hand-muscles  of  might.  /  So  a  man  should  do 
Then  when  in  war  /  he  thinketh  to  win 
Lasting  praise  /  nor  of  his  life  recketh. 
Caught  then  by  the  shoulder  /  (for  the  fight  he 

cared  not) 

The  War-Geats'  Master  /  Grendel's  mother  ; 
Flung  he  then,  battle-hardy,  /  so  furious  was  he, 
1 540     The  foe  of  his  life,  /  till  she  lay  on  the  floor. 

54 


She  quickly  again  /  requited  his  handiwork 
With  her  grim  grip,  /  and  against  him  reached. 
Stooped  over  then  wearily  /  the  strongest  of 

warriors, 

The  foot-men's  champion,  /  until  that  he  fell. 
Sate  she  then  on  the  hall-guest  /  and  her  saxe  she 

drew, 
Broad    and    brown-edged  ;  /  her    bairn    she 'Id 

avenge, 

Her  only  offspring.  /  Over  his  arm  there  lay 
A  woven  breast-net ;  /  that  warded  his  life, 
Withstood  the  entry  /  of  point  and  of  edge. 
Then  had  sped  /  the  son  of  Ecgtheow. 
Beneath  the  wide  ground,  /  the  Geatish  champion, 
If  his  battle-byrny  /  had  not  brought  him  help, 
A  hard  war-net ;  /  did  not  Holy  God 
Rule  the  winning  of  wars.  /  The  Wisest  Lord, 
The  Justice  of  Heaven  /  judged  it  aright 
Easily  ;  /  so  up  he  stood. 


XXIII 

He  saw  then  among  the  armour  /  a  sword  rich  in 

victories, 

An  old  Eotenish  blade,  /  doughty  of  edge, 
To  warriors  worshipful  ;  /  'twas  the  choicest  of 

weapons, 

But  it  was  mightier  /  than  any  man  other 
Into  the  play  of  battle  /  might  have  borne, 
Good  and  glorious,  /  giants'  work. 
He  seized  then  the  belted  hilt  ;  /  that  Wolf  of  the 

Shieldings, 

Rough  and  war-rude,  /  the  ringed  blade  drew  ; 
Hopeless  of  living,  /  with  heat  he  struck 
So  that  hard  it  gripped  /  her  on  the  neck, 
Her  bone-rings  brake  ;  /  the  bill  went  through  all 
Her  fated  flesh-cover  ;  /  on  the  floor  she  crashed. 
The  sword  was  sweating  ;  /  the  soldier  rejoiced 

in  his  work. 

55 


iS7°  A  flash  was  kindled,  /  light  filled  it  within, 
Even  so  as  from  the  sky  /  brightly  shineth 
The  Candle  of  Heaven.  /  He  looked  through  the 

house, 

Turned  then  to  the  wall ;  /  the  weapon  heaved  he, 
Hard,  by  the  hilt,  /  Higelac's  thegn, 
Angry,  one-minded.  /  That  edge  was  not 

worthless 

To  the  man  of  war,  /  for  at  once  he  would 
Settle  with  Grendel  /  the  many  assaults 
That  he  had  wrought  /  on  the  Wester-Danes, 
Far  more  often  /  than  one  time  only, 
1580     When  he  Hrothgar's  /  hearth-companions 
Slew  in  their  slumber,  /  swallowed  sleeping 
Fifteen  men  /  of  the  folk  of  Danes, 
And  others  also  /  carried  out, 
A  loathly  loot.  /  For  that  loss  repaid  him 
The  raging  champion,  /  inas  resting  he  saw 
Grendel  lie,  /  of  war  grown  weary, 
All  unliving,  /  as  erstwhile  had  left  him 
The  battle  in  Heorot.  /  His  body  sprang  aside 
When  he  after  death  /  endured  that  stroke 
1590     The  hardy  sword-swing  ;  /  then  he  carved  off  his 

head. 

Soon  they  saw,  /  the  subtle  churls, 
They  who  with  Hrothgar  /  on  the  holm  were 

gazing, 

That  the  eddying  waves  /  all  were  mingled, 
The  water  blood-foul.  /  White  of  hair 
The  elders  about  the  good  one  /  said  together 
That  they  expected  not  ever  /  of  that  atheling 
That  he,  swelled  with  conquest,  /  would  come  to 

seek 

Their  mighty  Prince,  /  for  to  many  it  seemed 
That  the  wolf  of  the  brine  /  had  broken  him  up. 
1600     Then  came  nones  of  the  day  ;  /  from  the  ness 

departed 
The  haughty  Shieldings.  /  Went  homewards  from 

thence 
The  Gold-Friend  of  men.  /  The  guests  were  sitting 

56 


Sick  in  mind,  /  and  staring  on  the  mere  ; 

They  feared,  and  they  felt  not  /  that  their  friend 

and  lord 

Himself  they  might  see.  /  Then  that  sword  began 
From  the  sweat  of  death  /  in  icicle  drops, 
The    war-bill,    to    wane  ;  /  that    was    something 

wondrous 

That  it  all  melted,  /  to  ice  most  likened 
When  the  bond  of  frost  /  the  Father  unloose th, 
Unwindeth  the  whirlpool-ropes,  /  He  that  wieldeth 
Times  and  climes.  /  That  is  a  true  Creator  ! 
Nor  took  he  in  those  places,  /  the  Weder-Geats 

Prince, 

More  of  rich  treasures,  /  though  many  he  saw  there, 
But  that  head  /  and  the  hilt  therewith 
Medalled  and  jewelled.  /  The  sword  was  now  melted, 
Burned  up  the  patterned  blade  ;  /  the  blood  was 

so  hot, 
So  deadly  the  strange  spirit  /  that  had  swooned 

there  in  death. 
Soon  was  he  swimming,  /  he  who  was  saved  from 

the  struggle, 
The   onslaught   of   his   enemies ;  /  up   he   dived 

through  the  water. 

The  eddying  waves  /  all  were  cleansed, 
The  spreading  tracts  /  where  the  stranger-spirit 
Finished  his  lifetime  /  and  this  fleeting  state. 
Came  then  to  the  shore  /  that  Helm  of  Sailors, 
Strong  of  heart,  swimming,  /  in  his  sea-spoil 

rejoicing, 

In  the  mighty  burden  /  that  he  brought  up  with  him. 
Going  then  towards  him,  /  God  they  thanked, 
The  gallant  band  of  thegns  /  were  glad  of  their 

Prince, 

That  they  might  see  him  /  safe  and  sound. 
Then  from  that  bold  one  /  byrny  and  helmet 
Were  hastily  loosened.  /  The  lake  grew  smooth, 
Water  under  the  welkin,  /  weltering  with  blood. 
Fared  they  forth  thence  /  the  foot-paths  over, 
Fain  of  mind  /  the  field-way  measured, 

57 


Streets  well-known,  /  those  kingly-bold  men  ; 
From  that  holm-cliff  /  the  head  they  bare, 
No  easy  thing  /  for  any  among  them, 
The  fiercest-minded  ;  /  four  of  them  must 
Swinking  carry  /  on  a  killing-shaft 
Grendel's  head  /  to  the  golden  hall, 

1 640     Until  there  quickly  /  came  to  that  hall 
Fierce,  whetted  to  fight,  /  four  and  ten 
Geats  a-going  ;  /  their  Guardian  with  them, 
Proud-minded  among  his  troop,  /  the  mead-plains 

trod. 

Then  came  and  entered  /  that  elder  among  thegns, 
A  deed-keen  man,  /  and  duly  cherished, 
A  hero,  battle-hardy,  /  Hrothgar  to  greet. 
Then  into  the  house  /  by  the  hair  was  borne 
Grendel's  head,  /  where  the  host  were  drinking, 
Awful  before  the  earls  /  and  that  lady  also  ; 

1650     On  a  wondrous  prospect  /  the  warriors  peered. 


XXIV 

Beowulf  made  utterance,  /  Ecgtheow's  boy  : 
'  What !  we  to  thee  this  sea-booty,  /  son  of 

Halfdane, 

Lord  of  Shieldings,  /  lustily  bring 
In  token  of  triumph,  /  whereto  here  thou  lookest. 
I  all  unsoftly  /  escaped  alive, 
In  war  under  water  /  work  I  dared 
That  was  not  easy  ;  /  almost  was 
My  warring  finished,  /  had  not  God  me  warded. 
Nor  might  I  in  the  heat  of  it  /  with  Hrunt-ing 
1660     Work  any  whit,  /  though  that  weapon  be  worthy  ; 
But  to  me  granted  /  the  Guardian  of  men 
That  on  the  wall  I  saw  /  seemly  hanging 
An  old  sword  and  good  /  (oftenmost  has  He  guided 
When  friends  are  wanting),  /  so  that  weapon  I  drew. 
Slew  I  in  that  onslaught,  /  as  the  chance  offered, 
The  keepers  of  the  house.  /  Then  that  killing  blade 

58 


Burned  away,  braided  mail,  /  as  the  blood 

out-sprang, 

Hottest  of  battle-sweat.  /  I  the  hilt  thereof 
Fetched  away  from  my  foes,  /  avenged  their  felonies, 
The  death-qualms  of  Danes,  /  as  it  was  due. 
I  to  thee  therefore  vow  it,  /  that  thou  in  Heorot 

mayest 

Sorrowless  slumber  /  with  thy  soldier-band, 
And  each  of  the  thegns  /  of  thy  people, 
The  doughty  and  young  ;  /  and  that  dread  them 

thou  needest  not, 

Prince  of  Shieldings,  /  from  those  parts, 
A  death-bane  to  earls,  /  as  of  old  thou  didst." 
Then  the  golden  hilt  /  to  the  grey  warrior, 
The  hoary  host-leader,  /  into  his  hand  was  given, 
Giants'  ancient  work  ;  /  it  to  the  ownership  passed, 
After  the  devils  were  lost,  /  of  the  Danish  Lord, 
Wonder-smiths'  work  ;  /  and  when  gave  up  this 

world 

That  grim-hearted  groom,  /  God's  adversary, 
Murder-guilty,  /  and  his  mother  eke, 
To  his  keeping  it  went —  /  of  the  Kings  of  the 

world 

To  the  seemliest,  /  two  seas  between, 
Of  those  who  on  Sceden-ig  /  scattered  wealth. 
Hrothgar  answered —  /  the  hilt  he  scanned, 
An    ancient   heirloom  /  whereon   was   the   origin 

written 

Of  the  former  warring  /  when  the  flood  destroyed, 
Gushing  ocean,  /  the  Giants'  kin  ; 
Fearlessly  fared  they  ;  /  that  folk  was  foreign 
To  the  Lord  Eternal ;  /  to  them  that  ending 

payment 

By  the  welling  waters  /  our  Wielder  sent. 
So  too  on  the  sword-guard  /  of  shining  gold 
By  runic  staves  /  aright  was  marked 
Was  set  and  said  /  for  whom  the  sword, 
Choicest  of  irons,  /  had  of  old  been  worked 
With  wreathed   hilt   and   worm-pattern.  /  Then 

spake  the  wise 

59 


Son  of  Halfdane  ;  /  were  silent  all  : 
1700      '  That,  lo  !  may  he  say  /  who  soothly  and  right 
Frames  for  his  folk,  /  all  far  things  remembers, 
An  old  hearth -warden,  /  that  this  earl  was 
Born  of  the  best.  /  Thy  bloom  is  upraised 
Beyond  the  wide  ways,  /  my  welcome  Beowulf, 
Thine  over  every  people.  /  All  of  it  in  patience 

thou  holdest, 
Thy  might  with  wisdom  of  mind.  /  I  shall  grant 

thee  my 
Pact,  as  at  first  we  promised  ;  /  Thou  shalt 

protection  furnish 

All  through  time  /  to  thine  own  tribe, 
A  helper  of  heroes.  /  Nor  was  Heremod  such 
1710     To  Ecgwela's  heirs,  /  to  the  Honour-Shieldings  ; 
Nor  waxed  he  for  their  welfare,  /  but  for  wanton 

slaughter 

And  for  death-qualms  /  of  the  Danish  people  ; 
He  brake,  with  boiling  mind, /his  board-companions, 
Who  had  stood  by  his  shoulder,  /  until  alone  he 

stepped, 

A  famous  Prince,  /  men's  pleasures  from. 
Though  him  Mighty  God  /  in  the  joys  of  mastery, 
In  strength,  exalted  /  over  all  men  else, 
Helped  and  held  him,  /  yet  in  his  heart  there  grew 
A  blood-rough  breast-hoard ;  /  no  bracelets  gave  he 
1 720     To  the  Danes,  as  was  due ;  /  undelighting  abode  he, 
So  that  he  from  that  turmoil  /  trouble  suffered, 
A  lasting  folk-sorrow.  /  Do  thou  learn  by  that ; 
Get  thee  manly  goodness  ;  /  I  this  gossip  for  thee 
Have  worded,  old  in  winters.  /  A  wonder  it  is  to 

say 

How  Mighty  God  /  o'er  mannes-kind 
By  His  Wide  Spirit  /  wisdom  spreadeth, 
Earth  and  earlship  ;  /  all  things  He  wieldeth. 
At  whiles  He  in  love  /  letteth  turn 
His  Mind-Thoughts  to  a  man  /  of  mighty  kindred, 
1730     Giveth  to  his  ownership  /  earthly  joys, 

A  hedged-burgh  of  men  /  for  him  to  hold, 
Doth  so  for  his  wielding  /  a  deal  of  the  world, 

60 


A  spreading  kingdom,  /  that  himself  man  cannot 
In  his  unwisdom  /  think  of  the  end. 
Dwelleth  he  in  wealth  ;  /  no  whit  him  darkeneth 
Illness  nor  oldness,  /  nor  anguish  of  enemies 
Staineth  his  soul,  /  nor  strife  anywhere, 
Weapon-hate,  sheweth,  /  but  all  of  the  world 
Works  for  his  will.  /  Nothing  worse  he  knoweth, 


XXV 

Until  within  him  /  an  o'erweening  part 
Waxes  and  swells,  /  when  the  warden  slumbers, 
The  soul's  shepherd  ;  /  is  that  sleep  too  fast, 
Netted  in  sorrows,  /  the  Slayer  is  very  near, 
Who  from  his  arrow-bow  /  angrily  shooteth. 
Then  is  he,  in  his  strength,  /  struck,  under  his 

helmet 

By  the  cruel  shaft ;  /  to  shield  him  he  knows  not 
From  the  crooked  wonder-biddings  /  of  the  cursed 

ghost ; 

Thinketh  he  too  little  /  what  long  he  hath  held  ; 
His  bold  mind  is  greedy,  /  never  for  a  boast  giveth 

he 

Fashioned  rings,  /  and  then  he  the  fate  fore-shapen 
Forgetteth  and  forgoeth,  /  for  that  God  erstwhile 

gave  him, 

Glory's  Wielder,  /  a  share  of  worship. 
At  the  end  of  the  tale,  /  after,  it  happeneth 
That  the  flesh  of  his  body  /  fleeting  faileth, 
Falleth  fated  ;  /  followeth  him  another, 
Who  not  tearfully  /  the  treasure  divideth, 
That  earl's  ancient-wealth,  /  nor  the  awe  of  him 

heedeth. 
Bestir  thee  against  that  balefulness,  /  lovely 

Beowulf, 
Best  of  men,  /  and  the  more  blessed  way  choose 

thee, 

Honour  eternal ;  /  incline  not  to  haughtiness, 
Manly  champion.  /  Now  is  thy  might  in  bloom 

61 


A  while  only  ;  /  soon  after  it  may  be 

That   thee   sickness   or  sword  /  of  thy  sovranty 

sunder, 

Or  fire's  fingers,  /  or  flood's  welling, 
Or  force  of  blade,  /  or  flight  of  spear, 
Or  bitter  age  ;  /  or  the  eyes'  brightness 
Forsake  and  o'ershadow  thee  ;  /  swiftly  it  shall  be 
That  thee,  duke  of  men,  /  death  overpowereth. 
So  I  the  Ring-Danes  /  an  hundred  seasons 
Have  wielded  under  the  welkin,  /  and  from  wars 

have  locked  them, 

From  many  meinies  /  over  this  middle-garth 
With  ash-wood  and  edged-sword,  /  so  that  I  not 

any 

Enemy  counted  /  under  heaven's  arch. 
What !  to  me  in  my  chamber  /  came  a  change, 
Gloom  after  gladness,  /  since  Grendel  was, 
An  old  adversary,  /  invading  me  ; 
I  by  his  questing  /  constantly  bore 
Mind-care  mickle.  /  To  the  Maker  be  thanks, 
Eternal  Lord,  /  that  I  in  life  have  abode 
Until  I  on  his  head,  /  hacked  by  the  sword, 
After  the  old  struggle  /  with  my  eyes  may  stare. 
Go  now  to  thy  seat,  /  the  supper-joy  share, 
Worshipful  in  war  ;  /  for  us  shall  a  wealth 
Of  treasure  be  measured,  /  when  morning  comes." 
Geat  was  glad -minded,  /  soon  did  he  go 
To  take  his  seat,  /  as  the  trusty  one  bade  him. 
Then  was,  after  as  erst,  /  for  the  valiant  in  action, 
For  the  floor-sitters  /  fairly  furnished 
A  new  feast.  /  Night's  helmet  lowered 
Dark  over  the  kinsmen.  /  The  company  all  arose  ; 
Would  that  blanched  head  /  his  bed  discover, 
The  aged  Shielding.  /  Before  all  things  the  Geat, 
Rough  shield-warrior,  /  for  rest  was  longing  ; 
Weary  of  his  swimming,  /  swiftly  the  hall-thegn 
Guided  him  forth,  /  who  was  come  from  far  ; 
He  that  worshipfully  /  watched  over  all 
The  needs  of  a  thegn,  /  such  things  as  in  those 

days 

62 


Sea-wanderers  /  might  be  wanting. 

Rested  him  then,  roomy-hearted  ;  /  the  roof 

towered, 

Gaping  and  gold-decked  ;  /  the  guest  within  slept, 
Until  the  black  raven  /  of  heaven's  blessings 
Boded,  blithe-hearted  ;  /  then  came  brightly 

scattering 

The  sun  over  the  hills,  j  The  soldiers  hastened  ; 
Were  the  athelings  /  again  to  their  people 
Fain  to  be  faring  :  /  far  thence  would  he, 
The  bold-hearted  stranger,  /  seek  out  his  bark. 
Bade  then  the  hardy  one  /  to  gird  on  Hrunting 
Ecglaf's  son,  /  his  sword  bade  him  take, 
Lovely  iron  ;  /  for  the  loan  he  thanked  him, 
Quoth  he,  that  battle-friend  /  a  fine  one  he 

reckoned, 

Strong  in  war  ;  /  in  no  words  blamed  he 
The  edge  of  that  blade.  /  'Twas  a  brave-minded 

man. 
And  when  ready  to  travel,  /  trapped  in  their 

armour, 

Were  the  warriors,  /  went,  worshipped  of  Danes, 
The  atheling  to  the  upmost  place,  /  where  the 

other  was  ; 
The  hero  battle-haughty  /  Hrothgar  greeted. 


XXVI 

Beowulf  made  utterance,  /  Ecgtheow's  boy  : 

"  Now  we  sea-wanderers  /  wish  to  say, 

Come  from  far,  /  that  forth  we  will  go 

Higelac  to  find  ;  /  here  were  we  fitly 

Housed,  as  we  wished  ;  /  well  hast  thou  done  by 

us. 

If  then  I  on  this  earth  /  may  one  whit 
More  attain  /  of  thy  mind's  love, 
Duke  of  men,  /  than  I  yet  have  done, 
For  striving  in  war  /  I  am  willing  straightway. 
If  I  should  learn,  /  over  the  lane  of  ocean, 

63 


That  on  thee  thy  neighbours  /  throng  with  terrors, 

As,  hating  thee,  /  awhile  they  did, 

I  to  thee  a  thousand  /  thegns  shall  bring, 

1830     Heroes  to  help  thee.  /  Of  Higelac  I  wot, 

Of  the  Yeatish  lord,  /  though  young  he  be, 
The  Folk's  Shepherd,  /  that  he  will  so  frame  for  me 
Words  and  works,  /  that  well  may  I  worship  thee, 
And  to  thy  support  /  my  spear-shaft  bear, 
My  might  for  thy  comfort,  /  when  men  thou 

era  vest. 

If  then  Hrethric  himself  /  in  the  House  of  the  Geats 
Muster,  a  King's  son,  /  he  may  there  many 
Friendships  find  ;  /  far-countries  are 
Seemliest  sought  /  by  whomso  himself  is  doughty." 

1 840     Hrothgar  made  utterance  /  to  him  in  answer  : 
'  The  words  thou  sayest  /  our  Wisest  Lord 
Hath  sent  to  thy  soul  ;  /  nor  have  I  heard  sagelier 
Any  man  reason  /  so  early  in  life  ; 
Thou  art  strong  in  might  /  and  old  in  mind, 
A  wise  word-speaker.  /  Ween  I  it  likely, 
If  it  be  spelt  /  that  the  spear  take, 
Or  sword-grim  battle,  /  the  son  of  Hrethel, 
Illness  or  iron  /  end  thine  Elder, 
Shepherd  of  the  laity,  /  and  thou  thy  life  havest, 

1850     That  the  Sea-Geats  /  will  have  no  seemlier 
King  than  thee  /  to  call  to  them, 
Hoard-warden  of  heroes,  /  if  hold  thou  wilt 
The  rule  over  the  meiny.  /  Me  thy  mind  and  heart 
Liketh  longer  and  better,  /  lovely  Beowulf. 
Thou  hast  found  out  a  way  /  that  to  the  folks  shall  be, 
To  the  Yeatish  people,  /  and  the  Yard-Danes, 
Peace  in  common  ;  /  and  strife  shall  perish, 
The  bitter  enmity  /  that  erst  they  bore  ; 
There  shall,  while  I  wield  /  this  wide  kingdom, 

1860     Be  mingling  of  treasures  ;  /  many  shall  others 
Greet  with  gifts  /  across  the  gannet's  bath  ; 
Shall  a  ringed-ship  /  over  the  sea  bring 
Loot  and  love-tokens.  /  The  laity,  I  wot, 
To  friend  and  to  foe  /  are  fast  established, 
In  all  things  blameless  /  in  the  ancient  ways." 

64 


Then  again  the  Earls'  Guardian  /  gave  him, 

within  there, 

Halfdane's  Prince,  /  prizes  twelve, 
Bade  him  with  that  treasure  /  his  dear  tribe 
Seek  in  safety,  /  soon  again  come. 
Kissed  then  /  the  King  well-born, 
Baron  of  Shieldings,  /  that  best  of  thegns, 
And  clasped  his  neck  ;  /  coursed  his  tears, 
The  hoary-beard.  /  Both  things  he  looked  for, 
Ancient  and  old,  /  but  one  thing  rather, 
That,  some  time,  each  /  might  see  the  other, 
Proud  minds  in  a  meeting.  /  Was  that  man  so  dear 

to  him 

That  his  breast's  swelling  /  he  might  not  bear, 
But  far  within  his  bosom,  /  fast  in  bonds  of  thought, 
For  the  dear  man  /  a  deep-hid  longing 
Burned  in  his  blood.  /  And  Beowulf  thence, 
A  gold-proud  warrior,  /  the  grassy  mould  trod 
In  his  booty  exulting  ;  /  the  sea-goer  abode 
Her  lord  and  owner,  /  which  at  anchor  rode. 
Then  was  in  their  going  /  the  gift  of  Hrothgar 
Often  appraised.  /  That  was  a  King 
In  all  things  blameless,  /  until  age  bereft  him 
Of  joy  in  his  might,  /  which  oft  many  hath  scathed. 


XXVII 

Came  then  to  the  flood  /  the  crowd  of  haughty 
Bachelor-men  ;  /  ring-nets  bore  they, 
Locken  limb-sarks.  /  The  land-warden  espied 
Earls  a-going,  /  as  erst  he  had  ; 
Nor  did  he  with  harmful  words  /  from  the 

headland's  height 

Greet  the  guests,  /  but  galloped  towards  them  ; 
Quoth  he  that  welcome  /  the  Weder-People's 
Shining-clad  soldiers  /  to  their  ships  might  fare. 
There  on  the  sand  was  /  the  sea-worthy  craft 
Laden  with  hero -weeds,  /  the  ringed  prow      • 
With  mares  and  with  money  ;  /  the  mast  towered 

65  G 


Over  Hrothgar's  /  hoard  of  treasure. 
1900     He  on  the  boat-warden  /  a  gold  y-bounden 
Sword  bestowed,  /  so  that  sithence  he  was 
On  the  mead-benches  /  by  that  boon  held  worthier, 
A  dear  heirloom.  /  On  deck  he  departed 
To  drive  deep  water.  /  Danes'  land  he  left. 
Then  was  to  the  mast  /  one  of  the  mer-sheets, 
A  sail  rope-fastened  ;  /  the  sea-wood  roared  ; 
Nor  that   wave-floater  /  did   the   wind   over  the 

waters 

Hinder  from  sailing  ;  /  the  sea-goer  started, 
Floated,  foamy-necked,  /  forth  over  the  waves, 
1910     The  banded  stem  /  over  brimming  streams, 
Till  they  Geatish  cliffs  /  might  get  in  sight, 
Kenned  nesses  ;  /  the  keel  pushed  up 
Driven  by  the  breeze,  /  on  the  beach  she  stood. 
Rapidly  by  the  holm  /  was  the  hythe-warden  ready, 
He  who  ever  and  long  /  for  the  lovely  men, 
Fain  by  the  flood,  /  afar  had  gazed  ; 
He  bound  to  the  sand  /  the  broad-bosomed  ship 
With  anchor-bonds  fast,  /  lest  the   force  of  the 

waves 

That  winsome  wood  /  might  wrench  away. 
1 920     Bade  he  then  upwards  bear  /  the  athelings'  treasure, 
Fretted  and  fashioned  gold  ;  /  nor  had  they  far 

thence 

To  go  seeking  /  the  giver  of  jewels, 
Higelac  Hrethling,  /  where  at  home  he  dwelt, 
Himself  with  his  subjects  /  the  sea-wall  near. 
The  building  was  beautiful,  /  its  baron  a  proud 

King, 

High  were  the  halls  ;  /  Hygd  was  very  young, 
Wise,  well-thriven,  /  though  winters  few 
Locked  in  the  burgh  /  had  she  abode, 
Haereth's  daughter ;  /  was  she  not  humble  however, 
1930     Nor  too  niggard  of  gifts  /  to  the  Geatish  people, 
Of  massy  treasure. 

Moodiness  Thrytho  shewed, 
Valiant  folk-queen,  /  fearsome  violence  ; 
Was  none  who  durst,  /  doughty,  to  venture 

66 


Of  her  own  household,  /  her  husband  save, 

Her  upon  by  day  /  with  his  eyes  to  stare  ; 

But  on  ropes  of  death  /  for  a  doom  might  he  reckon 

Hand-i-woven  ;  /  hastily  then  was 

After  his  seizure  /  the  sword  allotted  him, 

That  sharply,  sheerly,  /  should  life  shut, 

Make  clear  his  killing.  /  Not  so  is  the  queenly 

custom 

For  a  woman  to  work,  /  though  wonder-fair  she  be, 
That  she,  a  Peace-Weaver,  /  the  life  pursue, 
In  lying  malice,  /  of  a  man  beloved. 
Howbeit,  that  did  he  hinder,  /  Hemming's  kinsman. 

Ale-drinkers  /  otherwise  said, 

That  she  of  folk-damage  /  fashioned  less, 

Of  feud  and  hatred,  /  since  first  she  was 

Given,  gold-decked,  /  to  the  gallant  youth, 

Dear  of  ancestry,  /  when  she  Offa's  floor 

Over  the  fallow  flood  /  by  her  father's  counsel 

Sailing  sought :  /  there  she,  sithence,  well 

On  the  royal  seat,  /  renowned  for  goodness, 

The  life  allotted  her  /  lived  and  enjoyed, 

Held  high  love  /  for  the  Heroes'  Prince, 

Who  of  all  mankind,  /  in  my  story, 

Was  seemliest,  /  two  seas  between, 

Of  every-kind.  /  Wherefore  Offa  was, 

In  spending  and  striving  /  a  spear-keen  man, 

Widely  worshipped  ;  /  in  wisdom  held  he 

His  own  homestead.  /  From  him  Eomaer  sprang 

For  the  help  of  heroes,  /  Hemming's  kinsman, 

Grandson  of  Garmund,  /  great  in  battle. 

XXVIII 

Bewent  him  then  the  hardy  one  /  with  his  handful 
Himself  over  the  sand  /  the  sea-field  treading, 
Wide  water-marks  ;  /  the  world-candle  shone, 
The  sun,  south-rising  ;  /  they  shaped  their  way, 
With  force  they  went  /  where  the  Fence  of  Earls, 
The  bane  of  Ongentheow,  /  his  burgh  within, 

67 


Their  young  and  good  /  War-King  (they  guessed) 

1970     Rings  was  dealing.  /  Higelac  was 

Of  Beowulf's  travelling  /  quickly  told, 

That  within  those  walls  /  the  warriors'  champion, 

His  linden-comrade  /  alive  was  come, 

Hale  from  the  battle-play  /  to  the  house  going. 

Rapidly  was  made  ready,  /  as  the  rich  one  bade, 

For  the  footing  guests  /  the  floor  within. 

Sate  then  by  his  side  /  he  who  was  saved  from  the 

strife, 

Kinsman  by  kinsman,  /  when  the  King  of  men 
Speaking  aloud  /  his  liegeman  greeted 

1980     In  mighty  words.  /With  mead-draughts  moved 
Over  that  hall-floor  /  Haereth's  daughter  ; 
She  loved  the  laity,  /  liquor-bowls  bare 
To  the  hands  of  the  heroes.  /  Higelac  began 
His  housemate  /  in  the  high  haH 
To  question  kindly  ;  /  knowledge  he  craved, 
What  the  Water-Geats'  /  wanderings  were. 
1  What  came  to  you  on  your  crossing,  /  kinsman 

Beowulf, 

When  thou,  in  a  moment,  /  wert  minded  afar 
Strife  to  seek,  /  over  salt  water, 

1 990     Hand-play  in  Heorot  ?  /  And  hast  thou  Hrothgar's 
Wide-famed  woe  /  one  whit  made  better, 
That  mighty  Prince.  /  I  with  painful  mind 
In  sorrow-waves  seethed,  /  that  sailing  mistrusted 
Of  a  man  beloved.  /  Long  time  I  prayed  thee 
Never  to  meet  /  that  murder-guest 
But  to  leave  the  South -Danes'  /  selves  to  settle 
Their  grievance  with  Grendel.  /  To  God   I  say 

thanks 

That  I  may  see  thee  /  safe  and  sound." 
Beowulf  answered,  Ecgtheow's  boy  : 

2000     ;<  It  is  no  secret,  /  Sovran  Higelac, 

Among  many  men,  /  our  mighty  meeting, 
What  a  bout  of  gripping  /  to  Grendel  and  me 
Came  on  that  field  /  where  he  with  countless 
Sorrows  had  troubled  /  the  Triumph-Shieldings, 
Everlasting  anguish  :  /  All  of  it  I  avenged, 

68 


So  cannot  boast  /  any  cousin  of  Grendel 

In  all  the  earth,  /  of  that  morning-uproar, 

Not  he  that  longest  liveth  /  of  the  loathly  clan, 

Fenced  in  his  fens.  /There  first  I  came 

To  that  Ring-Hall,  /  Hrothgar  greeting  ; 

Straightway  for  me  the  mighty  /  man  of  Halfdane, 

Whenas  the  mind  /  of  me  he  knew, 

By  the  son  of  himself  /  a  seat  appointed. 

The  laity  laughed  ;  /  nor  in  all  my  life  saw  I 

Under  heaven's  vault,  /  among  sitters  in  hall, 

More  joy  in  their  mead.  /  At  times  the   mighty 

Queen, 

Peace-maker  among  peoples,  /  paced  the  floor, 
Boldened  the  young  boys  ;  /  often  a  bended  ring  she 
Bestowed  on  a  stalwart  /  ere  she  stepped  to  her 

stool. 
At  times   before  the  doughty  /  the  daughter   of 

Hrothgar 

To  the  earls  at  each  end  /  the  ale-cup  bare, 
'  Freawaru  '  then  I,  /  by  the  floor-sitters, 
Heard  her  named,  /  as  the  nail-studded  treasure  she 
Bent  to  the  brave.  /  Betrothed  is  she, 
Young,  gold-embroidered,  /  to  the  glad  son  of  Froda. 
A  fair  thing  has  it  seemed  /  to   the   Friend    of 

Shieldings, 
Shepherd  of  his   Realm,  /  and   a  good  rede    he 

counteth  it, 

That  he  by  this  woman  /  a  wealth  of  feuds 
And  slaughter  may  settle.  /  Not  seldom  but  often, 
When  a  Lord  is  fallen,  /  a  little  while  only 
Is  the  death-spear  banished,  /  though  the  bride  be 

doughty. 
This,  then,  may  displease  /  the  Prince  of 

Heathobeards 

And  every  thegn  /  among  that  people 
When  he  with  that  femme  /  upon  the  floor  goeth, 
That  on  a  well-born  Dane  /  his  warriors  wait ; 
One  on  whom  gleameth  /  their  grandsires'  leavings 
Hard  and  ring-mailed,  /  the  Heathobeards'  treasure; 
While  they  those  weapons  /  might  be  wielding, 

69 


[XXX] 

Till  they  led  astray  /  to  the  linden-play 
2040     Their  loved  comrades,  /  and  their  own  lives. 

Then  says  over  his  beer,  /  as  the  booty  he  sees, 

An  old  ash-warrior  /  who  it  all  remembers, 

The   spear-murder   of  men,  /  (and   his   mind   is 

grim)— 

He  beginneth  gloomily  /  the  young  champion's 
Courage  to  spy  out,  /  by  the  thoughts  of  his  spirit, 
War-anger  to  kindle,  /  and  this  word  quoth  : 
'  Dost  thou,  my  son,  /  the  sword  distinguish, 
Which  thy  father  /  to  the  fight  bare, 
Trapped  in  his  helmet,  /  the  hindmost  time, 
2050     His  dear  iron,  /  when  the  Danes  slew  him  ; 

And  won  the  slaughter-field,  /  when  Withergyld 

lay  there, 

And  the  fighters  were  fallen,  /  the  fierce  Shieldings  ? 
Now,  here,  those  slayers'  /  son,  or  such-like, 
Exulting  in  his  finery  /  over  the  floor  goeth, 
Of  the  treason  boasteth,  /  and  the  treasure  beareth 
Which  rightly  had  passed  /  into  thy  possession/ 
Moveth  he  him  so  and  remindeth  him,  /  manyfa 

time, 

With  savage  words,  /  till  the  season  cometh 
And  the  femme's  thegn  /  for  his  father's  deeds, 
3060     When  the  blade  has  bitten  him  /  in  blood  sleepeth, 
Endeth  his  days  ;  /  and  the  other  from  thence 
Loseth  himself  alive,  /  for  that  land  is  well-known 

to  him. 

Then  bin  broken  /  on  both  sides 
The  oaths  earls  swore,  /  when  in  Ingeld 
Welleth  up  deadly  loathing,  /  and  his  love  of  his 

wife 

Under  waves  of  care  /  waxeth  cooler. 
So  I  on  the  Heathobeards'  /  honesty  count  not, 
On  their  share  in  the  Peace  /  with  the  simple 

Danes, 
Or  fastness  in  friendship. 

Henceforth  shall  I  speak 

70 


Again  about  Grendel,  /  till  thou  get  full 

knowledge, 

Offerer  of  treasures,  /  how  it  turned  at  the  end, 
That  hand-fight  of  heroes.  /  After  heaven's  gem 
Glided    below    the    ground,  /  that    guest    angrily 

came, 

An  awful  evening-rage,  /  us  to  visit, 
Where  safe  and  sound  /  we  sate  in  the  hall. 
There  upon  Hondscio  /  a  host  descended, 
His  life  forfeit  by  fate  ;  /  the  first  he  fell. 
A  girded  champion  ;  /  to  him  Grendel  was, 
To  our  mighty  man  /  a  mouth  of  murder, 
Of  that  swain  beloved  /  the  limbs  he  swallowed. 
None  the  earlier  out  again,  /  idle-handed, 
That  bloody-toothed  bane,  /  of  butchery  mindful, 
From  the  gold-hall  /  would  be  going  ; 
But,  bold  in  his  might,  /  of  me  made  trial, 
Grappled    me    greedy-handed.  /  His    glove    was 

hanging 

Wide  and  wondrous,  /  with  woven-bands  fastened  ; 
It  was  by  cunning  /  all  contrived 
With  devils'  craft  /  and  dragons'  pelts. 
He  there,  inside  it,  /  me  unsinning, 
That  dire  deed-worker,  /  would  have  done  away, 
One  among  many  ;  /  that  might  not  be 
When  I  in  ire  /  upright  arose, 
Too  long  is  it  to  reckon  /  how  I  to  that  land-scather 
For  each  of  his  evils  /  offered  hand-payment ; 
There  I,  my  Prince,  /  made  thy  people 
Worshipful  by  my  work.  /  Away  he  escaped, 
A  little  while  /  life's  joys  he  brooked  ; 
But  his  right  arm  /  the  road  pointed, 
His  hand  in  Heorot  ;  /  and  he,  hapless,  thence, 
Mournfully  minded,  /  to  the  mere's  floor  fell. 
Me  for  that  fight  /  the  Friend  of  Shieldings 
With  fashioned  gold  /  in  full  rewarded, 
With  many  treasures,  /  when  morning  came, 
And  we  to  the  banquet  /  had  bent  us  down. 
Then  was  song  and  glee.  /  The  greybeard  Shielding 
Asking  us  many  things,  /  old  tales  remembered  ; 

7* 


At  times  a  hero  /  the  happy  harp, 

The  joy-wood  swept,  /  while  a  song  he  uttered, 

True  and  tragic  ;  /  at  times  a  strange  tale 

2 1 10     Read  us  aright  /  the  roomy-hearted  King  ; 
Awhile  after  began,  /  by  age  bounden, 
A  grizzled  warrior  /  his  youth  to  bewail, 
His  battle-strength  ;  /  his  breast  in  him  swelled 
As  he,  old  in  winters,  /  all  that  remembered. 
So  we  inside  there  /  all  the  day  long 
Tasted  of  pleasure,  /  until  night  returned 
Again  to  the  earth.  /  Thereafter  was  rapidly 
Girt  for  vengeance  /  Grendel's  mother  ; 
Set    her   forth    sorrowful ;  /  her   son    death    had 
taken, 

2120     The  Weders'  war-hate.  /  A  wife  unlovely, 
Her  bairn  she  avenged  ;  /  a  brave  man  she 

vanquished 

Unafraid  ;  /  there  from  Aeschere, 
A  learned  elder,  /  life  went  out. 
Neither  might  they,  /  when  morning  came, 
Him,  death-weary,  /  the  Danish  people 
Burn  with  brands,  /  nor  on  the  bale-fire  lay 
Their  loved  kinsman  ;  /  his  corpse  she  bare  off 
In  fiendish  fingers  /  under  the  mountain-flood. 
That  was  for  Hrothgar  /  harshest  of  the  sorrows 

2130     Which  on  that  Folk-Lord  /  long  time  had  fallen. 
Then  that  lord  of  me,  /  by  thine  own  life, 
Wistfully  besought  /  that  in  the  swirling  waters 
I  should  act  with  earlship,  /  offer  life  up, 
Merit  glory  ;  /  meed  he  promised  me, 
I  then  of  those  wells  /  — it  is  widely  known — 
The  grim  and  griesly  /  guardian  found. 
There  for  us  two  awhile  was  /  a  hand-encounter  ; 
The  pool  heaved  with  blood,  /  and  I  the  head 

carved  off, 
In  that  ground-mansion,  /  of  Grendel's  mother, 

2140     With  a  huge  sword  ;     not  softly  thence 

Did  I  fetch  me  alive  ;  /  I  was  not  fated  as  yet ; 
But  the  Guardian  of  Earls  /  afterwards  gave  me 
A  heap  of  treasures,  /  Halfdane's  son. 

7* 


XXXI 

So  the  people's  King  /  by  custom  lived  ; 
In  no  way  my  fee  /  foregone  had  I, 
Tribute  for  might,  /  but  treasures  he  gave  me, 
Halfdane's  son,  /  as  myself  I  chose, 
Which  I,  bravest  of  Kings,  /  will  bring  to  thee, 
Will  gladly  offer.  /  Ever  from  thee  do  all 
Favours  fall ;  /  but  few  have  I 
Of  high  kinsmen  /  save,  Higelac,  thee." 
Bade  he  then  bear  in  /  the  Boar,  the  head-crest, 
The  battle-steep  helmet,  /  hoary  byrny, 
War-sword  splendid  ;  /  then  spake  a  word  : 
1  To  me  this  harness  /  Hrothgar  offered, 
Sagest  of  Princes,  /  and  in  certain  words  bade 
That  I  first  should  thee  /  of  his  friendship  tell ; 
Quoth  he,  that  held  them  /  Heorogar  the  King, 
Lord  of  Shieldings,  /  a  long  while  ; 
Nor  yet  to  his  own  son  /  would  he  assign, 
To  lusty  Heoroweard,  /  loyal  though  he  were  to 

him, 

That  breast-armour.  /  Use  it  all  well." 
Heard  I  that  this  finery  /  four  horses. 
All  alike,  /  did  follow  after, 
Apple-yellow  ;  /  he  yielded  him  the  honour 
Of  horses  and  treasures.  /  So  should  a  tribesman  do, 
Never  envy-nets  /  for  others  weave, 
Nor  by  dark-hid  craft  /  with  death  encompass 
His  hand-companions.  /  To  Higelac  was, 
Hardy  in  fight,  /  his  nephew  most  faithful, 
And  each  was  mindful  /  of  the  other's  good. 
Heard  I,  that  he  the  necklace  /  on  Hygd  bestowed, 
That  work  of  wonder  /  which  Wealhtheow   had 

given  him, 

A  prince's  daughter;  /  and  three  palfreys  therewith 
Slim,  bright-saddled  ;  /  since  then  she  went, 
After  his  bounty,  /  with  breast  adorned. 
So  was  emboldened  /  Ecgtheow's  boy, 
A  groom  war-famed.  /  by  his  good  deeds  ; 
He  dwelt  as  he  deemed,  /  never,  drunken,  slew 

73 


2180     His  hearth-fellows  ;  /  nor  was  he  harsh  in  spirit, 
But  among  man-kind  /  with  most  of  craft 
The  gift  firm-set  /  which  God  had  sent  him 
Held,  battle-hardy.  /  Humbled  was  he  long, 
For  the  sons  of  the  Geats  /  no  good  of  him  said, 
Nor,  on  the  mead-bench,  /  of  mickle  worth 
The  captains  of  warriors  /  would  account  him  ; 
Shrewdly  they  reckoned  /  that  slack  he  was, 
An  atheling  ungallant.  /  Atonement  came 
To  the  man  triumphant  /  for  all  his  troubles. 

2190     Then  the  Fence  of  Earls  /  bade  fetch  him  in, 
The  King  battle-haughty,  /  Hrethel's  heirloom 
Gay  with  gold  ;  /  among  the  Geats  was  not  then 
A  wealthier  treasure  /  in  the  way  of  swords  ; 
This  he  in  Beowulf's  /  bosom  laid, 
And  spent  upon  him  /  seven  thousands, 
A  bower  and  a  throne.  /  To  both  of  them  was 
In  that  country  /  land  bequeathed, 
Home  and  ownership  ;  /  to  the  other  one,  rather, 
The  broad  realm  ;  /  wherefore  the  better  man  was 
he  there. 


2200     After  that  it  happened,  /  in  other  days, 

In  the  fury  of  hosts,  /  when  Higelac  was  fallen, 
And  on  Heardred  /  the  hewing  swords 
Through  the  board  of  his  shield  /  balefully 

shattered, 

When  sought  him  out  /  mid  his  soldier-people 
Bold  wolves  of  battle,  /  Warrior- Scylfings, 
Who  forcefully  harried  /  Hereric's  nephew  ; — 
Then  to  Beowulf  /  the  broad  realm 
Came  under  his  hand.  /  He  held  it  aright 
Fifty  winters  /  (then  was  he  a  white-haired  King, 

2210     An  old  land-warden),  /  until  one  began 

In  darkness  of  night,  /  a  dragon,  to  lord  it ; 
Which  in  a  high  law  /  lay  over  a  hoard, 
A  steep  stone-barrow  ;  /  and  steps  thereunder, 
Unknown  to  the  world.  /  Within  there  went 

74 


Some  enemy,  /  who  in  envy  seized 
The  heathenish  hoard  ;  /  his  hand  took  forth 
A  jewelled  bowl,  /  nor  did  he  bring  it  again, 
But  he  ensnared  /  the  sleeping  warden 
By  thievish  craft  ;  /  so  the  King  found, 
220     The  brave  one  of  the  folk,  /  that  he  was  belching 
with  fury. 


XXXII 

Never  of  a  purpose  /  the  power  of  the  Worm's 

hoard 
Sought  he,  for  his  own  sake,  /  who  sorely  scathed 

himself ; 

But  in  straitest  need,  /  the  slave  of  some  one 
Of  the  sons  of  heroes,  /  hate-swinges  fled, 
Finding  no  home,  /  and  therein  fell, 
A  soul  sin-busied.  /  Soon  it  betided 
That  there,  over  the  guest,  /  griesly  terror  came  ; 
Whether  in  his  wretchedness,  / 

230     /  While  on  him  the  fear  pressed 

The  jewel-cup  he  saw.  /  Of  such  were  there  many 
In  that  earth-house,  /  of  ancient  riches, 
Such  as  in  olden  days  /  any  one  of  men, 
(The  whole  heritage  /  of  an  honoured  kindred) 
Heedful  in  thought,  /  there  had  hidden, 
Dearest  treasures.  /  All  of  them  death  had  taken 
In  earlier  times,  /  and  the  only  one  now 
Of  the   people's   lords,  /  he   who   longest   abode 

there, 
Waxed  friend-sorry,  /  wished  to  linger, 

240     That  he  a  little  spell  /  the  long-kept  riches 
Might  enjoy.  /  The  mound  all  in  readiness 
Stood  on  the  earth  /  near  the  streams  of  ocean, 
New-wrought    on    the    ness,  /  narrow-closed  and 

fast  ; 
Bare  he  then  inside  /  of  those  earls'  bounties, 

75 


That  lord  of  rings,  /  a  heavy  load, 
Of  fashioned  gold,  /  and  few  words  quoth  : 
"  Hold  thou  now,  earth,  /  now  heroes  may  not, 
What  Earls  have  owned.  /  What  !  of  old  out  of  thee 
Gallants  got  them  ;  /  grim  death  has  taken, 
2250     Massacre  fierce,  /  the  men,  each  and  all 

Of  my  people,  /  who  have  passed  from  this  life  ; 
They  had  seen  the  hall's  bliss.  /  None  have  I  who 

beareth   sword. 

Or  polisheth  /  the  plated  bowl, 
The  drinking-cup  dear  ;  /  the  doughty  are 

elsewhere  scattered. 

From  the  hard  helmet  /  harnessed  with  gold 
Its  plates  shall  slip  ;  /  the  polishers  slumber 
Who  the  battle -masks  /  were  wont  to  burnish  ; 
And  so  the  army-coat  /  that  in  conflict  endured, 
When  boards  were  broken,  /  the  bite  of  iron, 
2260     Moulders  with  its  master  ;  /  nor  may  the  mailed 

byrny 

With  the  war-chief  /  widely  journey, 
At  hand  by  the  heroes.  /  In  the  harp  is  no  joy, 
No  game  of  the  glee-beam  ;  /  no  good  hawk 
O'er  the  house  swingeth,  /  nor  any  swift  horse 
In  the  stone-court  stampeth.  /  For  stern  death 
All  of  the  folk-life  /  forth  has  exiled." 
Thus,  sad  of  mood,  /  his  sorrows  he  mourned, 
One,  after  them  all ;  /  unblithe  he  wept, 
Daily  and  nightly,  /  until  death's  tide 
2270     Felt  at  his  heart. 

The  hoard  of  joy  he  found, 
That  old  striker  in  twilight,  /  standing  open, 
He  who,  burning,  /  the  barrows  seeketh, 
A  naked  fear-dragon,  /  nightly  flieth 
Driven  by  fire  ;  /  him  the  field-dwellers 
Sorely  dread.  /  Still  he  seeketh 
A  hoard  in  the  ground  /  where  he  heathen  gold 
Watcheth,  old  in  winters  :  /  nor  is  he  a  whit  the 

wealthier. 

So  the  people's  threatener,  /  three  hundred  winters 
Held  in  the  earth  /  such  a  hoard-house, 

76 


Of  endless  strength,  /  until  angered  him  one 
Man  in  his  mind  ;  /  to  his  master  bare 
The  plated  bowl,  /  for  a  peace-pact  begged 
The  lord  of  him.  /  Then  was  the  hoard  looted, 
Borne  off  its  bracelets  ;  /  as  a  boon  'twas  granted 
To  the  friendless  man.  /  His  master  saw 
The  former  work  of  the  folk,  /  for  the  first  time. 
When  the  Worm  awoke,  /  was  war  renewed  ; 
He  snuffed  then  over  the  stones,  /  stark-hearted 

he  found 

Footprints  of  a  foe,  /  who  too  far  had  stepped, 
Crafty  in  darkness,  /  the  dragon's  head  near. 
So  may  one  unfated  /  easily  escape 
Woe  and  exile,  /  who  the  Wielder's 
Friendship  holdeth.  /  The  hoard -warden  sought 
Greedily  over  the  ground,  /  that  groom  he  would  find 
Who  to  him  in  his  slumber  /  sorrow  had  brought ; 
Hot  and  harsh-minded  /  the  hill  he  oft  hunted 
All  round  about ;  /  nor  was  any  man  there 
Upon  that  waste.  /  Yet  for  war  he  was  joyful, 
For  battle-work  ;  /  at  whiles   to   the   barrow   he 

turned, 

The  jewel-cup  sought ;  /  but  soon  he  found 
That  some  one  of  men  /  had  searched  out  the  gold, 
That  high  treasure.  /  The  hoard-warden  abode 
111  at  ease,  /  until  evening  came  ; 
Was  belching  then  /  the  barrow's  keeper, 
Would  the  foul  foe  /  with  flame  repurchase 
His    drinking-cup    dear.  /  Then    was    day    forth 

driven, 
As  the  Worm  could  wish  ;  /  Nor  within  his  walls 

for  long 

Would  he  abide,  /  but  with  bale-fire  went, 
Forth  on  his  flame.  /  At  the  first  it  affrighted 
The  country  folk,  /  even  as  quickly  it  was 
And  bloodily  ended  /  by  their  Bounty-Giver. 

XXXIII 

Then  the  enemy  began  /  to  spit  forth  embers, 
To  burn  the  bright  houses  ;  /  a  blazing  light  shone 

77 


Awful  to  all  men  ;  /  nor  aught  there  alive 

That  loathly  lift -flier  /  would  he  leave. 

Was  the  Worm's  warfare  /  widely  seen, 

The  narrow-foe's  fury  /  near  and  far, 

How  a  warring  punisher  /  the  Geatish  people 

Was  hating  and  humbling.  /  To  the  hoard  again 

he  shot, 

2320     To  his  dark  domain,  /  ere  dawn  of  day  ; 
He  had  the  folk  of  the  land  /  with  fire 

encompassed, 
With  burning  and  branding  ;  /  in  his  barrow  he 

trusted, 
In  his  war  and  his  wall  ;  /  that  weening  bewrayed 

him. 

Then  was  the  tale  of  terror  /  told  to  Beowulf 
Swiftly  and  in  sooth,  /  how  himself  his  home 
Best  of  buildings  /  in  burning  waves  melted, 
The  gift-stool  of  the  Geats.  /  That  to  the  gallant 

one  was 

Hurtful  at  heart,  /  heaviest  of  mind-sorrows  ; 
Weened  the  wise  one  /  that  the  Wielder  he, 
2330     Against  the  ancient  Law,  /  the  Lord  Eternal 
Had  bitterly  angered  ;  /  his  breast  welled  in 

him 

With  darkest  cares,  /  as  his  custom  was  not. 
Had  the  fire-dragon  /  the  people's  fastness 
Which  on  earth  they  owned,  /  by  the  ocean's  edge, 
With  coals  consumed  ;  /  wherefore  the  King  of 

Battle, 

The  Weders'  Prince  /  planned  a  vengeance. 
Bade  he  then  work  him  /  (the  Warriors'  Buckler) 
All  of  iron  /  (the  Lord  of  Earls) 
A  wondrous  war-shield  ;  /  wist  he  well 
2340     That  hewn-wood  to  him  /  no  help  might  furnish, 
Fuel  against  flame.  /  Must  he  of  his  fleeting  days, 
An  atheling  ever-good,  /  the  end  await, 
Of  life  in  the  world,  /  and  the  Worm  to  boot, 
Though  he   the   hoarded  wealth  /  had  held  for 

long. 
Too  proud  was  then  /  the  Prince  of  Rings 

78 


That  he  the  wide-flier  /  with  warriors  should 

seek, 
With  a  strong  host ;  /  nor  for  himself  the  struggle 

dreaded, 

Nor  the  Worm's  warring  /  a  whit  esteemed, 
His  might  and  menace ;/  for  that  many  times,  of 

old, 
Venturing  in  strait  places  /  by  strife  he  had 

vanquished, 

In  heat  of  battle,  /  since  he  Hrothgar's 
Hall  had  cleansed,  /  a  happy  conqueror, 
And  in  fight  had  outgripped  /  Grendel's  folk, 
That  loathly  kindred. 

Nor  the  least  was  that 

Of  hand-encounters,  /  where  Higelac  they  killed, 
When  the  Geats'  ruler  /  in  the  race  of  battle, 
Friend  of  his  folk  /  in  Frisian  land, 
Son  of  Hrethel,  /  the  sword-drink  swallowed, 
Beaten  down  by  the  blade  ;  /  therefrom  Beowulf 

came 

By  his  own  craft,  /  used  his  sea-cunning  ; 
He  had  on  his  arm,  /  he  only,  thirty 
Weapons  of  war,  /  when  to  the  water  he  went. 
Never  did  the  Hetware  /  need  to  exult 
In  their  fighting  on  foot,  /  who  forward  against 

him 

Linden-shields  bare  ;  /  little  of  them  came  back 
From  that  battle-wolf,  /  to  behold  their  homes. 
Overswam  then  the  sea's  width  /  the  son  of 

Ecgtheow, 

In  poverty,  alone,  /  again  to  his  people. 
There  Hygd  offered  him  /  hoard  and  kingdom, 
Bracelets  and  throne ;  /  in  the  boy  she  trusted  not, 
That  he  against  strange  folk  /  the  stool  of  his 

fathers 

Would  know  how  to  hold,  /  and  Higelac  killed. 
None  the  sooner  the  mourners  /  might  obtain 
From  that  atheling,  /  on  any  terms, 
That  he  would  Heardred's  /  lord  become, 
Or  that  kingdom  /  choose  to  hold  ; 

79 


However  he  kept  him  with  the  folk  /  in  friendly 

counsel, 

Graciously,  with  honour,  /  until  the  lad  older  grew. 
The  Weder-Geats  ruled.  /  Him  wretched  exiles 

2380     Sought  over  the  sea,  /  the  sons  of  Ohthere  ; 

Had  they  held  out  against  /  the  Helm  of  Scylfings, 

The  seemliest  /  of  the  sea-kings 

Who  in  Swio-rice  /  riches  scattered, 

A  mighty  lord.  /  His  measure  that  marked  ; 

He  there,  destitute,  /  his  death-wound  won 

By  swingeing  sword,  /  the  son  of  Higelac. 

And  thereafter  bewent  him  /  Ongentheow's  bairn 

His  home  to  behold,  /  when  Heardred  lay  dead, 

He  let  Beowulf  keep  /  the  kingly  seat, 

2390     Govern  the  Geats.  /  That  was  a  good  king. 


XXXIV 

He  was  minded  to  have  payment  /  for  that  Prince's 

murder 

In  after  days  ;  /  To  Eadgils  he  was 
A  friend  in  his  sorrows,  /  with  his  folk  he 

supported, 

Over  the  wide  sea,  /  the  son  of  Ohthere, 
With  warriors  and  weapons.  /  He  wreaked 

vengeance  thereafter 

Coldly  marching,  /  that  King  of  life  bereft. 
So  from  every  enemy  /  escape  he  did, 
From  savage  onslaughts,  /  the  son  of  Ecgtheow, 
From  deeds  of  daring,  /  until  that  same  day 
2400     When  he  with  that  Worm  /  wager  must. 

Went  then,  one  of  twelve,  /  with  anger  swelling, 
The  Duke  of  Geats  /  the  dragon  to  seek  : 
He  had  then  found  out  /  whence  the  feud  arose, 
The  curse  on  the  captains  ;  /  into  his  keeping  was 

come 

The  famous  treasure-cup  /from  the  finder's  hand. 
He  was  in  that  troop  /  the  thirteenth  man, 
Who  of  that  battle  /  beginning  had  made  ; 

80 


A  slave  in  sorrow  /  must  he  show  forthwith 
Where  the  way  was.  /  Unwilling  went  he 
To  where  was  one  /  earth-house  he  wist, 
Hollowed  under  ground  /  the  holm-waves  near, 
The  warring  floods,  /  that  was  filled  within 
With  wrought-work  and  wire -work.  /  A  warden 

unkindly, 

A  greedy  war-wolf  /  the  gold-treasures  held, 
An  old  one  under  the  earth  ;  /  'twas  no  easy  bargain 
For  any  man  /  to  enter  in. 

Sate  then  on  the  headland  /  the  hardy  War-King, 
While  hail  he  bade  /  his  hearth-companions, 
The  Gold-Friend  of  Geats.  /  Full  of  gloom  was  his 

mind, 
Wavering,    death-willing  ;  /  the   Wyrd   was   very 

near 

Which  that  greybeard  /  was  to  greet, 
To  seek  his  soul's  hoard,  /  to  scatter  asunder 
Life  from  limbs  ;  /  not  for  long  then  was 
That  atheling's  being  /  bound  in  his  flesh. 
Beowulf  made  utterance,  /  Ecgtheow's  son  : 
"  Often  in  youth  have  I  borne  me  /  out  from  the 

battle -race, 

In  hours  of  onset ;  /  all  of  that  I  remember. 
I  had  seven  winters  /  when  the  Wielder  of  Treasures, 
Friend  and  Lord  of  the  Folk,  /  from  my  father 

took  me  ;  j 

Held  me  and  had  me  /  Hrethel  the  King, 
Gave  me  fee  and  feast,  /  of  our  friendship  was 

mindful  ; 

Nor  was  I  in  his  life  to  him  /  a  whit  less  likely 
A  brave  in  his  burgh  /  than  any  of  his  boys, 
Herebeald  or  Haethcyn,  /  or  Higelac  mine  own. 
Was  for  the  eldest  /  unbefittingly 
By  a  kinsman's  deed  /  his  death-bed  strewn, 
When  him  Haethcyn  /  and  his  horned  bow, 
His  friend  and  lord  /  by  an  arrow  felled, 
Missed  the  mark  /  and  his  mate  shot  dead, 
One  brother  the  other,  /  with  bloody  shaft. 
Twas  a  feud  beyond  fee,  /  a  felonish  sinning, 

81  G 


Mind-wearying  and  heart ;  /  must  howsoever 
That  lord  unavenged  /  from  life  depart. 
So  mournful  is  it  /  for  an  aged  man 
To  bide  alive  /  while  his  bairn  rideth 
Young  on  the  gallows  ;  /  then  a  glee  may  he  sing, 
A  sorry  song,  /  when  his  son  hangeth, 
A  raven's  comfort,  /  and  to  help  him  he  cannot, 
In  oldest  age,  /  aught  devise. 
2450     Always  is  he  reminded,  /  every  morning. 

Of  his  offspring  gone  elsewhere  ;  /  nor  of  another 

careth  he 

To  abide  the  birth,  /  his  burgh  within, 
For  a  further  heir  /  when  the  former  hath 
By  death's  constraint  /  of  his  deeds  made  proof. 
Sore  at  heart  he  seeth  /  in  his  son's  bower 
The  wine-hall  a  waste,  /  for  winds  to  rest  in  it, 
Of  revels  bereft  ;  /  the  riders  are  sleeping, 
The  heroes  in  shadow  ;  /  nor  is  sound  there  of 

harping, 
Nor  gaming  in  the  yards  /  as  of  yore  there  were. 


XXXV 

2460     Wendeth  he  then  to  his  chamber,  /  a  chant  of 

sorrow  waileth, 

One  man  for  another  ;  /  seem  to  him  all  too  roomy 
The  fields  and  the  folk-stead.  /  So  the  Fence  of 

Weders 

For  Herebeald  /  with  sorrow  of  heart 
Melted  away  ;  /  no  whit  he  might 
Upon  the  murderer  /  mend  the  feud  ; 
None  the  sooner  that  soldier  /  might  he  shame 
By  deeds  of  hatred,  /  though  dear  to  him  he  was 

not. 
Then  for  that  sorrow,  /  the  sore  that  had  wounded 

him, 

Man's  cheer  he  gave  up.  /  God's  light  chose  ; 
2470     To  his  children  he  willed,  /  as  doth  a  wealthy 

man, 

82 


Land  and  lordship,  /  when  this  life  he  left. 
Then  was  sin  and  strife  /  among  Swedes  and  Geats. 
Over  the  wide  water,  /  wrath  in  common, 
Hard  troop-hatred,  /  after  Hrethel  was  dead. 
And  to  them  Ongentheow's  /  offspring  were 
Proud  and  warlike  ;  /  peace  they  would  not 
Hold,    across    the    water,  /  but    against    Hreosna 

Hill 

Evil  inroads  /  often  planned. 
Which  mates  and  kin  /  of  mine  avenged, 
Feuds  and  felonies,  /  (so  the  fame  of  it  went) 
Though  one  of  them  /  with  his  own  life  paid, 
A  hard  bargain  ;  /  for  Haethcyn  was, 
For  the  Geats'  Warden,  /  war-death  fated. 
Then  at  break  of  day  /  one  man  his  brother 
By  the  sword's  edge,  /  on  his  slayer  avenged, 
When  Ongentheow  /  with  Eofor  met ; 
His  battle-helm  glided  asunder,  /  the  grey-haired 

Scylfing 

Fell,  murder-pale  ;  /  a  hand  remembered 
Feuds  enough,  /  nor  failed  at  the  death-stroke. 

Him  then,  for  the  gold  /  which  he  had  given  me 

I  repaid  in  war,  /  as  it  was  awarded  to  me, 

With  lightning  sword  ;  /  land  he  gave  me, 

Ownership  of  earth.  /  Was  not  any  need 

That  he  of  the  Yifthas,  /  or  of  the  Yard-Danes, 

Or  in  Swio-rice,  /  should  be  seeking 

A  weaker  war-wolf,  /  or  pay  him  his  worth  ; 

Ever  for  him  with  the  foot-men  /  before  would  I 

go, 

Alone  in  the  van,  /  and  so  always  shall  I 
Seek  to  fight,  /  while  this  sword  endureth, 
Which  early  and  late  /  hath  often  served  me, 
Since  I  in  my  doughtiness  /  was  Dayraven's 
Hand-slayer,  /  the  Hugas'  champion's. 
Never  could  he  the  finery  /  to  the  Frisian  King, 
The  breast-adornments  /  bring  again  ; 
But  in  strife  was  struck  down  /  the  standard's 

keeper, 

83 


An  atheling  brave  ;  /  nor  was  the  blade  his  ending, 
But  the  battle-grip  /  his  heart's  beating, 
His  bone-house  brake.  /  Now  shall  the  bill's  edge, 
Hand  and  hard-sword,  /  for  the  hoard  contest." 
2510     Beowulf  made  utterance,  /  boasting  words  spake, 
For  the  last  time  :  /  "  I  launched  me  on  many 
Wars  in  my  youth  ;  /  yet  again  will  I, 
An  old  folk-shepherd,  /  seek  the  fight, 
Do  mighty  deeds,  /  if  me  the  monster 
From  his  earth-house  /  come  out  to  meet." 
Greeted  he  then  /  the  grooms  each  one, 
Haughty  helm-bearers,  /  a  hindmost  time, 
His  sweet  companions  :  /  "  A  sword  would  I  not 

bear, 

Nor  weapon  against  the  Worm,  /  if  I  wist  how 
2520     With  that  enemy  /  else  I  might 

Come  to  grips,  boast-yelling,  /  as  of  yore  with 

Grendel  I  did  ; 

But  here  on  a  hate-fire  /  hot  I  reckon, 
And  breathing  of  venom  ;  /  wherefore  I  bear  on 

me 
Board  and  byrny.  /  Nor  will  I  from  the  barrow's 

warden 

Flee  away  /  one  foot's  measure, 
But  to  us  shall  it  be  at  the  wall  /  as  Wyrd  shall 

appoint  for  us, 
The  measure  of  every  man.  /  I  am  in  mind 

emboldened, 

So  that  I  forgo  boasting  /  before  that  battle-flier. 
Await  ye  on  the  barrow,  /  byrnies  wearing, 
2530     Men  in  armour,  /  which  may  the  better 
After  the  duel  /  endure  his  wounds, 
Of  us  twain.  /  Nor  is  it  your  trial, 
Nor  any  man's,  /  save  mine  only, 
That  he  with  the  monster  /  measure  his  strength, 
Match  his  earlship.  /  I  by  my  might  shall 
Gain  the  gold,  /  or  die  battle  gather, 
Cruel  life-bane,  /  the  lord  of  you." 
Stood  up  then  with  his  shield  /  the  stalwart 

champion, 

84 


Hardy  under  his  helm,  /  his  harness  bare 

Under  the  stone-cliffs,  /  in  the  strength  he  trusted 

Of  a  single  man  ;  /  such  is  not  the  manner  of 

cowards. 

Saw  he  then  in  the  wall,  /  (he  who  in  a  wealth 
Of  battles  had  vanquished,  /  blest  with  valour, 
Roaring  fights,  /  in  the  rush  of  foot-men) 
A  stone-arch  standing,  /  a  stream  out  thence 
Breaking   from   the   barrow  ;  /  were   that   burn's 

eddies 

Hot  with  hate-fire  ;  /  nor  near  the  hoard  might  he 
Unburned  /  for  any  time 
Its  depths  endure,  /  for  the  dragon's  flame. 
Let  then  from  his  breast,  /  so  he  boiled  with  anger, 
The  Weder-Geats'  Prince  /  pass  out  a  word  ; 
Stark-hearted  he   stormed  ;  /  under  the   hoary 

stone, 

Echoing  battle-bright,  /  brake  his  voice  ; 
Hatred  was  kindled,  /  the  hoard -warden  knew 
The  speech  of  man,  /  nor  was  there  space  any  more 
To  bid  for  peace.  /  Burst  forth  first 
The  breath  of  the  ogre  /  out  of  the  stone, 
Hot  sweat  of  battle.  /  Shook  the  ground. 
The   brave  under  the   barrow  /  his   round-board 

swung 

Against  the  griesly  guest,  /  the  Geatish  lord  ; 
Then  the  ring-twister's  /  heart  was  fain 
A  duel  to  seek.  /  His  sword  now  had  drawn 
The  excellent  War-King,  /  bequeathed  from  of  old, 
Unslow  of  edge  ;  /  to  each  of  them  was, 
Murder-minded,  /  menace  from  the  other. 
Stiff-minded  stood  /  behind  his  steep  shield 
The  King  of  Friends,  /  as  coiled  the  Worm 
Swiftly  together  ;  /  in  his  trappings  he  waited. 
Came  then  the  burning  one,  /  bowed  and  creeping, 
Speeding  to  his  doom.  /  The  shield  well  defended 
Life  and  limb,  /  a  lesser  while 
For  the  mighty  lord,  /  than  he  might  look  for 
So  he  at  that  point,  /  in  the  prime  of  the  day, 
Was  to  win  /  (as  Wyrd  had  not  written  for  him) 

85 


The  honour  of  the  fight.  /  His  hand  upraised 
The  Geatish  lord,  /  the  griesly-hued  one  struck 
With  Ing's  heirloom,  /  but  its  edge  fell  back, 
Brown  from  the  bone,  /  bit  less  keenly 
Than  its  Nation-King  /  had  need  of  it, 

2580     Busily  beset.  /  Then  was  the  barrow's  warden, 

After  that  fierce  stroke,  /  stirred  to  fury, 
-  And  spewed  slaying  fire  ;  /  sprang  forth  afar 
Its  battle-gleams.  /  Boasted  not  of  triumph 
The  Gold-Friend  of  Geats  ;  /  his  good  sword  had 

failed, 

Naked  in  the  fight,  /  as  never  should 
Excellent  iron.  /  Nor  was  that  an  easy  journey 
When  the  champion,  /  the  child  of  Ecgtheow, 
Had  to  forsake  /  the  fields  of  earth, 
Must,    undesiring,  /  make  his  dwelling 

2590     Elsewhere,  /  as  must  every  man 

Leave  his  loan  of  days.  /  Nor  was  it  long  then  ere 

Either  champion  /  charged  again. 

Boldened  him  the  barrow -warden,  /  his  breast 

swelled  with  breath, 
Now  anew  ;  /  he  was  narrowly  beset, 
Fenced  in  fire,  /  who  the  folk  had  ruled. 
Nowise  for  him  in  their  host /his  hand-companions, 
Athelings'  stock,  /  stood  around 
In   their   battle -worth,  /  but   to   the   wood   they 

bound  them, 
To  save  their  lives.  /  In  one  alone  swelled 

2600     His  soul  with  care  ;  /  kinship  never  may 

Any  thing  unbind,  /  in  one  who  well  thinketh. 


XXXVI 

Wiglaf  was  he  named,  /  Weohstan's  son, 
A  loved  linden -warrior,  /  a  lord  of  Scylfings, 
Sib  to  Aelfhere  ;  /  he  saw  his  master 
Under  the  shutten  helmet  /  suffering  heat  ; 
He  minded  him  then  of  the  honour  /  which  he  of 
old  had  given  him, 

86 


The  wealthy  township  /  of  the  Waegmundings, 
And   folk-rights   all,  /  as   his   father  had   owned 

them  ; 
Nor  might  he  hold  back  then,  /  his  hand  the  shield 

seized, 

Yellow  linden,  /  his  yore-sword  he  drew. 
That  was,  for  all  men,  /  Eanmund's  heirloom, 
Ohthere's  son's,  /  whom  in  the  slaughter, 
A  friendless  wanderer,  /  Weohstan  finished 
With  the  blade's  edge,  /  and  from  his  fellows  bare  off 
The  brown-hued  helm,  /  the  ringed  byrny, 
The  old  sword,  Eotenish,  /  which  Onela  had  given 

him  ; 

His  brother-clansman's  /  battle  clothing, 
Fit  for  service.  /  Nor  about  the  feud  spake  he 
Though  he  his  brother's  /  bairn  had  murdered. 
He  wore  those  treasures  /  many  winters, 
Blade  and  byrny,  /  until  his  own  boy  might 
Earlship  achieve,  /  as  erst  his  father  ; 
He  gave  him  then  among  the  Geats  /  his  gear  of 

battle 

All,  unnumbered,  /  when  out  from  life  he  went, 
Old,  forth -faring.  /  This  was  the  first  time 
For  the  young  champion  /  that  he  the  charge  of 

battle 

With  his  sovran  lord  /  had  to  suffer  ; 
Nor  melted  his  courage,  /  nor  was  his  kinsman's 

heirloom 

Weak  at  warfare  ;  /  that  the  Worm  found  out 
When  they  together  /  once  had  gone. 
Wiglaf  uttered  /  words  fit  and  many, 
Said  to  his  comrades  /  (full  of  care  was  his  soul) 
"  Of  that  time  I  am  mindful,  /  when  the  mead  we 

tasted, 

When  we  made  a  vow  /  to  the  master  of  us 
In  the  beer-hall,  /  who  these  bracelets  gave  us, 
That  we  for  our  weapons  /  would  repay  him, 
If  to  him  this  kind  /  of  peril  came, 
For  helmets  and  hard  swords.  /  Nay,  he  us  from 

the  host  did  choose 

8? 


For  this  journey,  /  of  his  own  judgement, 
2640     Reminded  us  of  glory,  /  and  to  me  these  treasures 

gave, 

Because  he   accounted  us  /  cunning  spearmen, 
Lusty  helm-bearers  ;  /  though  our  lord  for  us 
This  work  of  valour  /  wished  alone 
To  shape  and  finish,  /  the  Folk's  Shepherd, 
For  that  he  most  among  men  /  of  mastery  hath 

wrought, 

Of  desperate  deeds.  /  Now  is  the  day  come 
That   our   lord   and   master  /  the   main-strength 

needeth 

Of  gallant  warriors.  /  Let  us  go  t&? 
And  help  our  hero,  /  while  this  heat  endureth, 
2650     Flame-terror  grim.  /  God  wot  of  me, 

That  to  me  it  is  much  liefer  /  that  my  live  body 

With  my  gold-giver's  /  the  flame  should  grasp. 

Nor  meseems  it  becoming  /  that  we  bear  our  shields 

Back  to  our  folk,  /  save  first  we  may 

Fell  this  foe,  /  defend  the  life 

Of  the  Weders'  Prince.  /  Well  do  I  know 

That  his  ancient  worth  is  not  such  /  that  he  only 

should 

Of  the  Geatish  soldiery  /  suffer  sorrow, 
Sink  in  the  strife  ;  /  for  us  twain  shall  be  sword 

and  helm, 

2660     Byrny  and  covered-shield,  /  for  both  in  common." 
Waded    he    then    through   that    blood-reek,  /  his 

war-head  bore 

His  friend  to  comfort,  /  and  few  words  quoth  : 
"  Dearest  Beowulf,  /  do  all  things  well, 
Even  as  thou  in  thy  youth-time  /  of  yore  didst  say 
That  thou  wouldst  not  let,  /  from  thyself  living 
Glory  dwindle  ;  /  now  must  thou,  great  in  thy 

deeds, 

Atheling  one-minded,  /  with  all  thy  might 
Save  thy  life  ;  /  and  I  support  thee." 
After  those  words  /  the  Worm  irefully  came 
2670     An  evil  guest  of  enmity,  /  another  time, 

With  fire-waves  flashing,  /  his  foes  to  seek, 

88 


Those  loathed  men.  /  In  lapping-fire  was  burned 
Board  with  boss  ;  /  his  byrny  might  not 
To  the  young  spearman  /  yield  any  succour ; 
But  the  young  man  /  under  his  master's  shield 
Went  eagerly  on,  /when  his  own  was 
Wasted  by  fire.  /  Then  again  the  War-King 
Was  mindful  of  his  fame,  /  by  main-strength  he 

smote 

With  his  hostile  blade,  /  so  that  on  the  head  it  beat, 
Forced  by  his  fury  ;  /  in  flinders  Nailing 
Swooned  in  the  battle,  /  Beowulf's  sword, 
Hoary  and  grey.  /  'Twas  not  granted  to  him 
That  any  edge  /  of  iron  might 
Help  in  the  struggle  ;  /  was  that  hand  too  strong, 
Which  every  sword,  /  as  I  have  heard  say, 
Overbore  with  its  stroke,  /  when  to  the  strife  he  bare 
A  wondrous-hard  weapon  ;  /  nor  was  he  a  whit  the 

better. 

Then  the  tribe's  scather  /  a  third  time, 
The  fearsome  fire-dragon  /  his  feud  remembered, 
Rushed  on  that  gallant  one,  /  when  room  he  gave 

him, 

Hot,  battle-grim,  /  all  his  neck  he  grasped 
In  bitter  tooth-bones  ;  /  he  bloodied  was 
With  his  soul's  gore  ;  /  that  sweat  in  streams 

gushed. 


XXXVII 

Then  I  heard  that  in  the  need  /  of  the  Nation's 

King 

That  earl  unceasing  /  excellence  shewed, 
Craft  and  keenness,  /  as  his  kind  was  ; 
Nor  heeded   he   that  head  /  (but  the  hand  was 

burned 

Of  that  masterful  man,  /  when  his  mate  he  helped), 
For  he  that  dread  guest  /  downwards  a  little  struck, 
A  soldier  in  armour,  /  so  that  the  sword  dived  in, 
Brightly  fashioned,  /  and  the  fire  began 

89 


To  slacken  straightway.  /  Then  himself  the  King 

again 

Conquered  his  wits,  /  the  killing-knife  drew, 
Bitter  and  battle -sharp,  /  which  on  his  byrny  he 

wore  ; 
The  Weders^  Helm  wrote  into  /  the  Worm's 

middle. 

Their  foe  they  felled,  /  their  valour  finished  him, 
And  both  of  those  twain  /  had  broken  him  up, 
Kinsmen-athelings  ;  /  so  should  every  man  be, 
A  thegn  in  peril.  /  For  the  Prince  that  was 
2710     The  utmost  triumph-day  /  of  his  own  deeds, 

Of  his  work  in  the  world.  /  Then  the  wound  began, 
Which  upon  him  the  earth-dragon  /  earlier  had 

wrought, 

To  sweal  and  to  swell ;  /  soon  he  found  out 
That  through  his  breast  /  a  baleful  hurt  was  welling, 
Poison  from  within.  /  Went  then  the  atheling 
Until  he  by  the  wall  /  in  wisdom  of  mind 
Sate  on  a  seat  ;  /  he  saw  the  giants'  work, 
How  that  stone-arches  /  on  staples  fast 
The  everlasting  earth-hall  /  inwardly  held, 
2720     Him  then  with  his  hands,  /  horrid  with  blood, 

His  famous  Prince,  /  that  thegn  faithful  beyond 

measure, 

His  friend  and  lord  /  did  lave  in  water, 
JSpent  with  battle,  /  and  unspanned  his  helm. 
Beowulf  made  utterance  ;  /  of  his  bane  he  spake, 
-Of  his  wound  death-piteous  ;  /  wist  he  readily 
That  he  his  day-span  /  had  spent  at  length 
Of  earthly  joy  ;  /  then  was  all  scattered 
The  tale  of  his  days,  /  death  very  nigh  :-— 
"  Now  I  to  a  son  of  mine  /  would  seek  to  give 
2730     My  weeds  of  war,  /  were  it  so  awarded  me 
That  any  heir  should  /  after  me  come, 
Begotten  of  my  body.  /  This  burgh  have  I  held 
Through  fifty  winters  ;  /  nor  was  there  a 

Folk-King 

Who  me  with  his  war-friends  /  to  welcome  dared, 
To  harass  me  with  terrors.  /  At  home  I  attended 

90 


What  time  should  bring  me,  /  treated  well  mine 

own, 

Nor  sought  armed  quarrels,  /  nor  swore  me  many 
Oaths  unrightly.  /  From  all  of  this  I  may 
When  sick  with  death-wounds  /  succour  draw  ; 
Blame  me  for  that  cannot  /  the  King  of  Men 
For  the  murder  of  kinsmen,  /  when  cast  forth  is  my 
Life  from  my  limbs.  /  Let  thee  now  hasten 
The  hoard  to  behold,  /  under  the  hoary  stone, 
Beloved  Wiglaf,  /  now  that  the  Worm  lieth, 
Sleepeth  sore-wounded,  /  of  his  silver  bereft. 
Be  off  now  in  haste,  /  that  I  the  ancient  wealth, 
The  gold-hoard  may  glimpse,  /  may  gaze  my  fill 
On  the  shining  jewels,  /  that  so  more  softly  I  may 
For  that  mass  of  treasure  /  take  leave  of  my 
Life  and  lordship,  /  which  I  long  did  hold." 


XXXVIII 

Then  swiftly  (as  I  heard)  /  the  son  of  Weohstan 
When  this  word  was  spoken  /  his  wounded  lord, 
War-sickened,  obeyed,  /  went  in  his  ringed  byrny, 
His  braided  battle-sark,  /  under  the  barrow's  roof, 
Saw  he  then  in  his  triumph,  /  as  by  the  seat  he 

went, 

A  masterful  tribe-thegn,  /  treasures  many, 
Glistening  gold  /  on  the  ground  gathered, 
Wonders  on  the  walls,  /  and  the  Worm's  den, 
The  old  twilight-flier's  ;  /  flagons  stood  there, 
Far-dead   men's   vessels,  /  with   none   to   furbish 

them, 
Husked  of  their  platings.  /  There  were  helms  in 

plenty, 

Old  and  rusty,  /  arm-rings  many 
Twisted  and  tied.  /  Treasure  easily  may, 
Gold  in  the  ground,  /  get  from  the  grasp 
Of  any  man  in  the  world,  /  hide  it  who  will. 
So  too,  set  there  he  saw  /  a  sign  all  golden 

91 


High  over  the  hoard,  /  of  hand-wonders  the  greatest, 
Locked  by  skill  of  limb  ;  /  wherefrom  a  light  so 

shone 
2770     That  he  the  ground  there  /  might  get  in  sight, 

Throughout  the  wealth  on  it.  /  Nor  of  the  Worm 

was  there 

Any  sign,  /  for  him  an  edge  had  slain. 
Then  I  heard  that  in  the  hill  /  the  hoard  was  rifled, 
The  old  work  of  ogres,  /  by  one  man  only  ; 
That  his  breast  he  loaded  /  with  bowls  and  dishes 
As  seemed  good  to  himself ;  /  the  sign  also  he  took, 
Brightest  of  beacons.  /  The  blade  now  had  scathed 

him 

Iron-edged,  /  of  an  old  lord, 
Him  who  had  held  /  in  his  hand  those  treasures 
2780     A  long  while.  /  Lightning-terror  he  waged 
Hot  for  his  hoard,  /  with  hatred  welling 
In  the  midst  of  the  night,  /  until  by  murther  he 

perished. 

Fleet  was  the  messenger,  /  fain  to  return, 
Driven  on  by  his  treasures  ;  /  doubt  was  tearing 

him 

Whether,  full-hearted,  /  he  would  find  alive 
On  yonder  plain  /  the  Prince  of  Weders, 
Power-less,  /  where  he  had  left  him  anon. 
Then  he  with  that  gold  /  the  glorious  Prince, 
The  Lord  of  him  /  at  his  life's  end, 
2790     Bleeding,  found  ;  /  then  again  began  he 

To  sprinkle  him  with  water,  /  until  an  opening 

word 

Brake  from  his  breast-hoard  ;  /  Beowulf  spake, 
Grey-haired,  in  grief  /  on  the  gold  he  gazed  : 
"  I  for  these  riches  /  to  the  Ruler  of  All  my  thanks 
(To  the  Worshipful  King)  /  in  words  will  say 
(To  the  Lord  Eternal),  /  whereon  I  here  do  look, 
For  that  I  might  /  for  mine  own  people 
Ere  my  killing-time  /  conquer  such  things. 
Now  I  for  the  precious  hoard  /  have  paid  with  my 
2800     Old  life  laid  down,  /  look  thou  still 

92 


To  the  laity's  need  ;  /  here  may  I  no  longer  be. 
Bid  the  battle-famed  ones  /  build  me  a  barrow 
Bright  with  the  bale-fire  /  on  the  brink  of  the  cliff  ; 
It  shall  for  a  memory  /  to  my  people 
Be  walled  up  high  /  on  the  whale's  headland, 
So  that  sea-farers  /  in  future  say 
1  Beowulf's  Barrow  !  '  /  who  their  brave  ships 
Over  the  mists  of  the  flood  /  from  afar  shall  drive." 
Did  off  from  his  neck  /  that  noble  Prince 
3     A  golden  ring  ;  /  to  his  thegn  he  gave  it, 

To  the  young  spear-warrior,  /  his  gold-wrought 

helm. 

Armlet  and  byrny,  /  bade  him  well  to  use  them. 
1  Thou  art  left  at  the  end  /  of  our  kindred, 
Of  the  Waegmundings  ;  /  all  of  them  Wyrd  hath 

swept  off, 

Friends  of  mine  /  to  the  fate  fore-doomed, 
Excellent  earls  ;  /  and  I  must  after  them." 
That  was  the  old  warrior's  /  utmost  word 
Of  the  thoughts  of  his  breast,  /  ere  the  bale-fire 

he  sought, 
Hot  battle-waves  ;  /  from  his  bosom  went 

820     His  soul  to  seek  /  the  salvation  of  the  faithful. 

*••  •«  '•< 

[XXXIX] 

Thereafter  it  was  /  for  the  young  warrior 
111  to  bear,  /  that  on  the  earth  he  saw 
That  most  beloved,  /  at  his  life's  end, 
Cruelly  suffering.  /  His  killer  likewise  lay, 
The  loathsome  earth-dragon  /  of  life  bereft, 
Struck  down  in  ruin.  /  The  ring-hoard  for  longer 
That  winding  Worm  /  might  never  wield, 
For  him  the  iron  /  edges  had  taken, 
Hard,  battle-scarred,  /  hammers'  bequests, 
jo     So  that  the  wide-flier  /  by  wounds  made  still 

Heltered  upon  the  ground,  /  his  hoard-place  near  ; 
Nevermore  in  the  welkin  /  would  he  wheel  for 
sport 

93 


At  prime  of  day,  /  in  the  pride  of  his  treasures 

Shewing  his  shape,  /  for  he  had  sunk  to  earth 

By  that  hero-leader's  /  handiwork. 

Nay, throughout  all  lands/little  has  a  man  prospered, 

Endowed  with  might,  /  (in  my  hearing) 

Though  in  every  deed  /  daring  he  were, 

When  he  against  a  poison-reeker's  /  breath  went 

rushing, 

2840     Or  a  store  of  rings  /  with  his  hands  did  stir, 
If  waking  he  /  its  warden  found 
Biding  in  the  barrow.  /  By  Beowulf  was 
His  part  in  the  princely  treasure  /  paid  for  with 

death  ; 

Each  of  them  had  /  to  the  end  been  brought 
Of  this  fleeting  life. 

'Twas  not  long  thereafter 
That  the  battle -laggards  /  left  the  holt, 
Feeble  troth-liars,  /  ten  together, 
Who  before  had  not  dared  /  their  darts  to  fling 
In  their  noble  master's  /  mickle  need  ; 
2850     But  shamefully  now  /  their  shields  they  bare, 

Their  garments  of  war,  /  where  the  greyhead  lay  ; 
They  looked  upon  Wiglaf.  /  He  in  weariness  sate, 
That  fighting  foot-man,  /  his  friend's  shoulder 

near, 
Wakening  him  with  water  ;  /  no  whit  did  it  speed 

him, 
Nor  might  he  in  this  world,  /  much  though  he 

wished  it, 

In  that  lord  of  spears  /  the  life  preserve, 
Nor  the  Wielder's  will  /  a  whit  unbind. 
The  Doom  of  God  /  the  deeds  must  rule 
Of  every  man,  /  as  even  now  it  doth. 
2860     Then  out  of  that  youngster  /  a  grim  answer 

Quickly  came,  /  to  those  who  their  courage  had 

lost. 

Wiglaf  made  utterance,  /  Weohstan's  son, 
A  lad  sore-hearted  /  seeing  those  he  loved  not : 
11  Lo  !     This  may  he  say,  /  who  in  sooth  would 

speak, 

94 


That  the  lord  of  the  tribe  /  who  treasures   gave 

you, 

The  soldier-clothing  /  wherein  clad  ye  stand  here, 
When  he  at  the  ale-benches  /  oft  bestowed 
On  the  sitters  in  hall  /  helms  and  byrnies, 
A  prince  on  his  people,  /  on  the  proudest-hearted 
Whom,  far  or  near,  /  he  might  anywhere  find, 
That  wholly  he  /  those  weeds  of  war 
And  wantonly  had  wasted,  /  when  warfare  came 

to  him. 

Never  did  our  Folk-King  /  of  his  field-comrades 
Need  to  boast  ;  /  howbeit  God  bestowed  on  him, 
The  Wielder  of  Victories,  /  that  he  should  avenge 

himself 
Alone  with  his  blade,  /  when  the  brave  were 

lacking. 

I  could  but  little  /  life-protection 
Give  him  in  the  fight  ;  /  I  began,  no  less, 
Beyond  my  measure  /  my  master  to  help. 
Always  was  he  the  sufferer  /  when  with  my  sword 

I  aimed 

At  the  deadly  foe  ;  /  the  fire  less  direfully 
Welled  from  his  head.  /  Helpers  too  few 
Trooped  to  their  King  /  when  his  time  was  come. 
Now  shall  gold-sharing  /  and  sword-giving, 
Every  home -joy  /  from  your  households, 
All  hope,  languish  ;  /  of  land-rights  must 
All  that  family,  /  first  and  last, 
Wander  empty,  /  whenas  the  athelings 
From  afar  the  fame  /  of  your  flight  shall  hear, 
Your  gloryless  deed.  /  Death  is  more  good 
For  any  earl  /  than  infamous  life.'* 


XL 

Bade  he  then  that  battle-work  /  at  the  barrier  be 

told, 
Up  over  the  ocean-cliff,  /  where  those  earls  in 

company 

95 


All  morning  long  /  mourning  had  sate 

Bearing  their  shields,  /  to  both  chances  looking  ; 

To  the  end  of  his  days  /  and  to  the  after-coming 

Of  the  man  they  loved.  /  Little  did  he  keep  silent 

The  new  tidings,  /  who  up  the  ness  rode, 

But  he  soothfully  /  said  to  them  all  : 

2900     "  Now   is   the   Pleasure-Giver  /  of  the 

Weder-People, 

The  Duke  of  Geats,  /  on  death-bed  fast, 
He  hath  won  to  his  rest  /  by  the  Worm's  deed. 
Levelled  with  him  lieth  /  his  life's  winner 
By  knife-wounds  sickened  ;  /  with  his  sword  he 

might  not 

On  that  evil  creature,  /  at  any  cost, 
Work  a  wound.  /  Wiglaf  sitteth 
Over  Beowulf,  /  Weohstan's  boy, 
One  earl  over  another,  /  and  him  unliving, 
Holdeth  with  honour  /  watch  by  the  heads 

2910     Of  friend  and  foe.  /  Now  for  the  folk  is 

foreboding 

Of  a  season  of  conflict,  /  soon  as  commonly 
By  Frisians  and  Franks  /  the  fall  of  the  King 
Is  known  afar. 

That  feud  was  shapen 

Hard  against  the  Hugas,  /  when  Higelac  came 
Faring  with  a  fleet  /  to  the  Frisian  land, 
Where  him  the  Hetware  /  humbled  in  battle, 
Who  achieved  by  their  excellence,  /  overpowering 

him, 

That  the  byrny-wearer  /  must  bow  before  them  ; 
He  fell  amid  his  foot -men  ;  /  no  finery  gave 

2920     That  elder  to  his  gallants.  /  From  us  ever  since 

Has  mercy  been  withheld  /  by  the  Merowingians. 
Nor  do   I  in  the  Swede-Folk's  /  swearing  trust 

either, 

Nor  a  whit  expect  it  ;  /  for  'twas  widely  known 
That  Ongentheow  /  had  thieved  the  life 
Of  Haethcyn  Hrethling  /  by  Ravenswood, 
When,  full  of  pride,  /  the  Fighter-Scilfings 
Visited  first  /  the  Geatish  folk. 

96 


Them  soon  the  aged  /  father  of  Ohthere, 

Old  and  awesome,  /  with  onslaught  answered, 

Brake  that  wise  seaman,  /  his  wife  delivered, 

The  greybeard  his  gossip,  /  of  her  gold  bereft, 

Onela's  mother  /  and  Ohthere 's  also, 

And  then  followed  /  his  deadly  foes 

Until  they  escaped  /  in  evil  plight 

Into  Ravenswood,  /  wanting  their  lord. 

Set  he  then  with  a  great  host  /  about  the  sword's 

leavings 

Wounded  and  weary  ;  /  woes  often  promised  he 
To  the  anguished  troop  /  that  endless  night ; 
Said  that  in  the  morning  /  with  the  sword's  edge 
Get  them  he  would,  /  on  the  gallows-tree  some 
A  game  for  the  birds.  /  Bliss  came  after 
To  their  sorry  minds  /  soon  as  the  day  broke, 
When  they  of  Higelac's  /  horns  and  trumpets 
Heard  the  blast,  /  when  the  brave  one  came 
With  the  force  of  his  tribe  /  their  track  following. 


XLI 

Was  that  swathe  blood-sweated  /  of  Swedes  and 

Geats, 

That  welter  of  warriors  /  widely  seen, 
How  that  folk  against  them  /  a  feud  awakened. 
Bewent  him  then  the  brave  one  /  with  his  band  of 

kinsmen, 

Old,  full  of  sorrow,  /  a   fastness  to  seek, 
Earl  Ongentheow  /  uphill  removed  ; 
He  had  of  Higelac's  /  fighting  heard, 
Boastful  battlecraft ;  /  nor  believed  in  withstanding, 
That  the  men  of  the  sea  /  he  might  resist, 
From  the  ocean-harriers  /  his  hoard  defend, 
His  bairns  and  his  bride  ;  /  he  bent  him  back  thence, 
Old,    under   an    earth -wall.  /  Then    pursuit   was 

offered 

To  the  Swedish  people,  /  the  standard  of  Higelac; 
The  plain  of  peace  /  they  passed  forth  over 

97  H 


2960     When  the  Hrethelings  /  to  the  hedges  thronged. 
There  was  Ongentheow  /  by  edged  swords, 
With  his  bleached  locks,  /  to  bay  driven, 
So  that  People's  King  /  consent  he  must 
To  Eafor's  sole  judgment.  /  Him  in  anger 
Wulf  Wonreding  /  with  his  weapon  so  reached, 
That  from  him  at  the  stroke  /  in  streams  the  blood 

sprang 

Forth  under  his  hair.  /  Yet  not  fearful  was  he, 
The  hoary  Scilfing,  /  but  in  haste  repaid 
With  a  stronger  counter  /  that  crashing  stroke, 

2970     When  the  king  of  the  tribe  /  turned  him  thither. 
Nor  might  the  swift  /  son  of  Wonred 
To  the  old  carl  /  an  answer  give, 
For  he  on  his  head  /  the  helmet  had  shattered 
So  that,  foul  with  blood,  /  bow  down  he  must, 
And  fell  on  the  field  ;  /  nor  yet  fated  was  he, 
But  raised  himself,  /  though  the  wound  had  rent 

him. 

Let  the  hardy  /  thegn  of  Higelac 
His  broad  blade,  /  where  his  brother  lay, 
Hoary  sword  Eotenish,  /  helm  gigantic 

2980  Break  over  the  shield -wall;  /  then  bowed  the  King, 
The  People's  Herdsman  /  to  the  heart  was  pierced. 
Then  were  there  many  who  wrapped  up  / 

the  wounds  of  their  kinsman, 
Rapidly  raised  him,  /  when  room  was  made  for 

them, 
So  that  they  of  the  slaughter-field  /  should  be 

masters. 

Then  one  captain  /  stripped  the  other, 
Took  from  Ongentheow  /  his  iron  byrny, 
His  hard  sword  hilted  /  and  his  helm  therewith  ; 
The  hoary  one's  harness  /  to  Higelac  he  bare. 
He  those  precious  things  took,  /  and  promised  him 
fairly 

2990     Prizes  for  his  people,  /  and  performed  the  same  ; 
Pay  for  that  punishing  /  did  the  Prince  of  Geats, 
Hrethel's  offspring,  /  when  to  his  home  he  came, 
Eofor  and  Wulf  /  with  endless  wealth, 

98 


Gave  each  of  them  /  an  hundred  thousands, 
Land  and  locked  rings  ;  /  nor  for  lavishness  need 

blame  him 
Any  man  in  this  middle-garth,  /  since  for  their 

meed  they  had  fought  ; 

And  then  to  Eofor  he  gave  /  his  only  daughter 
To  plenish  his  home,  /  as  a  pledge  of  favour. 

That  is  the  feud  /  and  the  foemanship, 
Slaughter  of  men,  /  as  it  seems  to  my  mind, 
Wherefore  will  seek  us  out  /  the  Swedish  people, 
Whenas  they  learn  /  that  the  lord  of  us 
Has  ended  his  life,  /  of  old  who  held 
Against  hatred  of  enemies  /  hoard  and  realm, 
And  when  fighters  were  fallen  /  the  fierce 

Shieldings  ; 

The  folk's  good  fashioned,  /  and  further  again 
Earlship  achieved.  /  At  once  meseems  best 
That  we  come  there  to  look  /  on  our  Lord  and 

King, 

And  bring  him  back,  /  who  bracelets  gave  us, 
To  his  fire  faring.  /  Nor  shall  a  few  things  only 
Melt  with  the  mighty  one,  /  for  there  is  a  mass  of 

wealth, 

Gold  uncounted,  /  grimly  bargained  for, 
And  now  at  the  last  /  with  his  own  life 
Bracelets  hath  he  bought ;  /  these  shall  the  blaze 

swallow, 

The  flame  thatch  over  ;  /  never  an  earl  shall  wear 
A  jewel  for  reminder,  /  nor  maiden  sheen 
Have  on  her  throat  /  a  ring  for  adornment, 
But  gloomy  in  mind,  /  of  their  gold  bereft, 
Often,  not  once,  /  else-lands  shall  they  tread, 
Now  that  the  leader  of  hosts  /  has  laid  aside 

laughter, 

Sport  and  song.  /  Wherefore  shall  spears 
Many,  morning-cold,  /  be  clasped  by  fingers, 
Hoisted  in  hand  ;  /  never  shall  the  harper's  strain 
Waken  the  warrior,  /  but  the  wan  raven, 
Fond  over  the  fallen,  /  full  of  news, 

99 


To  the  eagle  shall  say  /  how  at  the  eating  he  sped, 
When  he  with  the  wolf  /  harried  the  corpses." 
So  that  bold  soldier  /  was  saying  ever 
Loathly  tidings  ;  /  he  lied  not  much 
3030     As  to  fate  or  fact. 

His  friends  all  arose  ; 

They  went  unblithely  /  under  the  Eagle's  Ness 
With  welling  tears,  /  the  wonder  to  behold. 
Found  they  there  on  the  sand,  /  where  his  soul 

had  left  him, 
His   resting-bed   holding,  /  him   who    rings    had 

given  them 

In  earlier  times  ;  /  then  was  the  end  of  his  days 
Come  to  the  good  one,  /  when  the  King  of  War, 
The  Weders'  Prince,  /  by  wondrous-death 

perished. 

First  they  beheld  /  a  being  more  strange, 
A  Worm  on  the  ground  /  against  them  there, 
3040     A  foul  thing  lying  ;  /  'twas  the  flame-dragon 
Their  grim  scather,  /  scorched  with  fire. 
He  was  fifty  /  foot-measures 
Long,  as  he  lay.  /  Aloft  he  had  sported 
In  time  of  night,  /  and  netherwards  then  went 
His  den  to  visit ;  /  in  death  was  he  fast  there, 
He  had  his  earth-cavern  /  used  to  the  end. 
By  him  stood  /  bowls  and  flagons, 
Dishes  lay,  /  and  dear  swords, 
Rusty,    through-eaten,  /  as    they    in    the    earth's 

bosom 
3050     A  thousand  winters  /  there  had  dwelt  ; 

Since   it    was,   that    birth-right   /   of    boundless 

strength, 

The  gold  of  ancient  men,  /  by  magic  guarded, 
So  that  to  the  ring-chamber  /  might  not  reach 
Any  son  of  man  ;  /  save  that  God  Himself, 
The    Truth-King    of    Triumphs,  /  entrusted    to 

whom  He  would 

(He  is  mankind's  Helper)  /  the  hoard  to  open, 
Even  unto  such  a  man  /  as  meet  to  Him  seemed*. 


IOO 


XLII 

Then  'twas  plainly  seen  /  that  the  way  was  not 

prosperous 

Of  them  who  unrightly  /  inside  had  hidden 
Wealth  under  the  walls.  /  The  warden  already  had 

slain 
Some  few  of  them  ;  /  Then  for  the  feud  was 

vengeance 

Wrathfully  wreaked.  /  A  wonder  'tis  wherever 
An  excellent  earl  /  at  the  end  arrives 
Of  the  life  allotted  him,  /  when  no  longer  he  may, 
A  man  among  his  mates,  /  in  the  mead-hall  dwell. 
So  was  it  with  Beowulf  /  when  he  the  barrow's 

warden 

Sought,  and  keen  strife  ;  /  himself  he  knew  not 
By  what  his  world-sundering  /  should  be  wrought. 
Until  doomsday  /  so  deeply  had  cursed  it 
The  mighty  princes  /  who  had  put  it  there, 
That  his  soul  should  /  of  sins  be  guilty, 
Fixed  in  idol-shrines,  /  fast  in  hell-bonds, 
Plagued  and  poxed,  /  who  plundered  that  place. 
Yet  he  was  not  gold-hungry  ;  /  rather  had  he 
His  Owner's  Favour  /  ever  followed. 

Wiglaf  made  utterance,  /  Weohstan's  son  : 
Oft  shall  many  an  earl  /  by  one  man's  will 
Cruelly  suffer,  /  as  is  come  upon  us. 
Nor  could  we  prevail  /   on  our  loved  Prince, 
The  Kingdom's  Shepherd,  /  by  any  counsel, 
That  he  would  not  go  /  to  that  gold-warden, 
But  let  him  lie  /  where  long-time  he  was, 
Abide  within  his  walls  /  to  the  world's  end  ; 
He  held  to  his  high  calling.  /  The  hoard  is  to  be 

seen, 

Grimly  gained  ;  /  was  that  gift  too  costly 
Which  thither  lured  /  the  Lord  of  us. 
I  was  inside  there  /  and  all  of  it  saw, 
The  ornaments  of  the  house  /  when  'twas  opened 

to  me 

101 


Nowise  pleasantly,  /  passage  allowed 
3090     In  under  the  earth-wall.  /  I  at  once  seized 
Much  in  my  hands,  /  a  mighty  burthen 
Of  hoarded  treasures,  /  hither  out  I  bare  them 
To  my  own  King  ;  /  quick  was  he  still, 
Wise  and  whole-minded.  /  Very  many  things  spake 
The  old  man  in  his  grief,  /  and  to  greet  you  ordered 

me, 

Bade  you  furnish  fitly,  /  for  your  friend's  deeds, 
On  the  bale-fire's  site  /  a  barrow  tall, 
Mickle  and  mighty,  /  as  of  men  he  was 
The  worthiest  warrior  /  the  wide  world  over, 
3100     While  the  wealth  of  the  burgh  /  he  well  might  use. 
Let  us  now  be  off  /  on  another  errand 
To  seek  and  to  see  /  the  subtle  store -house, 
The  wonder  within  the  walls  ;  /  I  will  you  guide, 
That  ye  from  near  /  enough  may  look 
On  bracelets   and   broad   gold.  /  Be  the  bier  in 

readiness, 

Quickly  fashioned,  /  when  out  we  come, 
And  lay  we  thereon  /  the  Lord  of  us, 
The  man  beloved,  /  where  long  he  shall 
Under  the  Wielder's  /  watch  abide." 
3110     Bade  he  them  command,  /  that  boy  of  Weohstan's, 
That  hero  of  the  host,  /  heroes  many, 
Who  buildings  owned,  /  that  they  the  bale-wood 
Should  fetch  from  afar,  /  being  folk-owners, 
To  the  brave  one's  side.  /  "  Now  shall  the  blaze 

devour — 
The  wan  flame  waxing —  /  the  Warriors' 

Strengthener, 

Him  who  oft  abode  /  the  iron  showers, 
When  a  storm  of  darts  /  driven  by  strings 
Shot  over  the  shield-wall,  /  the  shaft  held  to  its 

duty, 
And  with  feather-gear  fain  /  the  flying-barb 

followed." 
3120     And  now  the  sage  /  son  of  Weohstan 

Called  from  the  throng  /  thegns  of  the  King, 
Seven  together,  /  the  seemliest ; 

xoa 


One  of  eight  he  went  /  under  the  enemy  roof ; 
One  man  of  battle  /  bare  in  his  hand 
A  flaming  torch,  /  who  in  front  of  them  trod. 
Nor  was  it  left  to  the  lot  /  who  should  loot  that 

hoard, 

When,  all  unguarded,  /  any  part  of  it 
The  soldiers  saw  /  in  that  cellar  abiding, 
Lying  there  for  a  moment  ;  /  little  did  any  mourn 
That  they  must  at  once  /  fetch  out  from  thence 
Those    dear    treasures.  /  The    dragon    eke    they 

shoved, 
The  Worm  over  the  wall-cliff,  /  let  the  wave  take 

him, 

The  flood  enclasp  /  that  keeper  of  jewels. 
There  was  wounden  gold  /  on  a  wain  laden, 
All  unnumbered  ;  /  and  the  Atheling  borne, 
The  hoary  warrior,  /  to  the  Whale's  Ness. 


XLIII 

Piled  for  him  then  /  the  Geatish  people 

A  bier  on  the  earth  /  unyielding  in  strength, 

And  hanged  it  with  helmets,  /  hero-shields 

Bright  byrnies,  /  the  boon  he  had  asked  ; 

Laid  they  on  the  midst  of  it/  their  mighty  Prince, 

The  heroes  lamenting  /  the  Lord  they  loved. 

Began  then  on  the  barrow  /  of  bale-fires  the 

mightiest 

A  warrior  to  awaken  ;  /  the  wood-smoke  soared 
Swart  over  the  fire -swathes  ;  /  the  singing  flame 
With  weeping  mingled  /  (the  wind-eddies  lay 

still) 

Until  his  bone-house  /  it  had  broken, 
Hot  in  its  heart.  /  Unhappily  minded, 
Moodily  they  mourned  /  their  master's  death  ; 
Also  a  weary  lay  /  the  wife  of  old 
For  Beowulf,  /  with  bounden  hair 
Sang  in  her  sorrow,  /  said  once  and  again 
That  harmful  days  /  and  harsh  she  dreaded, 

103 


Wanton  slaughter,  /  terror  of  warriors, 
Humbling  and  slavery. 

Heaven  swallowed  the  reek. 

Wrought  they  then,  /  the  Weder-People, 
A  hill  upon  the  cliff  /  that  was  high  and  broad, 
By  Wave-farers  /  widely  seen  ; 
And  timbered  about  /  in  ten  days 
3 1 60     The  battle-chief's  beacon  ;  /  what  was   left  from 

the  burning 
With  a  wall  they  enwrapped  /  in  the  worthiest 

way 

Men  foremost  in  wisdom  /  might  have  found. 
In  the  barrow  they  laid  /  bracelets  and  jewels, 
All  such  harnessings  /  as  from  the  hoard  erstwhile 
Angry  men  /  had  taken  out ; 
They  left  the  treasure  of  earls  /  for  the  earth  to 

hold, 

Gold  among  gravel,  /  where  again  now  it  liveth, 
To  all  men  useless,  /  as  of  old  it  was. 

Then  around  the  mound  /  rode  battle-champions, 
3170     Athelings'  sons,  /  twelve  in  all, 

Who  would  keen  their  master,  /  mourn  their  King, 
Tuned  words  measure,  /  and  tell  of  the  man  ; 
They  exalted  his  earlship,  /  and  his  excellent  work 
Doughty  they  deemed,  /  as  due  it  is 
That  their  willing  lord  /  men  should  laud  in  words, 
Should  love  in  their  hearts,  /  when  he  must  forth 
Out  of  his  body  /  be  borne  at  length. 

So  grieved  and  plained  /  the  Geatish  People 
For  their  Lord's  fall,  /  his  hearth-fellows  ; 
3 1 80     They  said  that  he  was  /  a  World  King, 
Of  men  the  mildest  /  and  to  men  kindest, 
To  his  people  most  pleasant  /  and  for  praise  most 
eager. 


104 


Finnsburgh 


"  It  is  never  the  horns  /  of  the  house  are  burning  ?  " 
Brake  then  into  speech  /  the  battle-young  King  : 
"  This  nor  dawneth  from  the  east,  /  nor  here  any 

dragon  flieth, 

Nor  here  on  this  hall  /  are  the  horns  burning  ; 
But  the  Boar  forth  bear  they,  /  birds  are  singing, 
Clattereth  the  grey-sark,  /  clasheth  the  war-wood, 
Shield    to    shaft    answereth.  /  Now    shineth   this 

moon 
Waxing  under  the  welkin  ;   /   now  arise  woeful 

deeds 

Which  battle  against  this  people  /  will  bring  to  pass. 
But  awaken  ye  now,  /  warriors  mine, 
Take  hold  or  your  shields,  /  as  heroes  shape  you, 
Fight  in  the  fore-front,  /  be  firm  in  courage." 
Then  arose  many  a  gold-laden  thegn,  /  girded  on 

him  his  sword  ; 

Then  led  to  the  doors  /  the  lordly  champions, 
Sigeferth  and  Eaha,  /  their  swords  drew  they, 
And  at  the  other  doors  /  Ordlaf  and  Guthlaf 
And  Hengest's  self ;  /  he  hied  in  their  wake. 
Then  Garulf  again  /  of  Guthere  besought 
That  they  so  free-born  a  life  /  in  the  first  sally 
Should  not  bear  in  harness,  /  to  that  hall's  doors, 
Now   that    one    hardy  in   fight  /    was    fain   to 

harry  it ; 

But  he  asked  over  them  all  /  in   open  speech, 
Dire-minded  hero,  /  who  was  holding  the  doors. 
"  Sigeferth  is  my  name,"  quoth  he,  /  "  I  am  the 

Secgas'  lord, 
A  wanderer  widely  known.  /  Many  the  woes  I've 

endured, 

Hard  battles.  /  For  thee  now  is  it  here  decreed, 
Whatsoever  thou  thyself  /  wilt  seek  at  my  hands." 

I05 


Then  was  there  in  the  hall  /  havoc  of  slaughter, 
Must  the  curved  board  /  in  keen  hands, 
30         The    bones'    guard,    burst.  /  The    burgh-floor 

dinned 

When  in  that  fight  /  was  fallen  Garulf, 
The  first  of  all  /  the  earth-dwellers, 
Guthlaf's  son,  /  about  him  gallants  many. 
Roamed  over  the  corpses  /  the  raven,  wandered 
Swart  and  sallow-brown  ;  /  the  sword-gleam  shone 
As  though  all  Finnsburgh  /  on  fire  it  were. 
Nor  heard  I  ever  that  more  worthily  /  in  wars  of 

men 

Sixty  battle-heroes  /  bare  themselves  better, 
Nor  ever  did  swains  for  their  sweet  mead  /  give 

seemlier  payment 

40         Than  to  Hnaef  was  paid  /  by  his  house -fellows. 
They  fought  five  days,  /  yet  fell  there  none 
Of  the  doughty  comrades  ;  /  but  the  doors  they 

held. 
Then  bewent  him  the  wounded  hero  /  on  his  way 

going, 

He  said  that  his  byrny  /  broken  was, 
No  helpful  garment,  /  and  eke  was  his  helmet 

pierced. 

Then  swiftly  asked  him  /  the  Shepherd  of  the  Folk 
How  the  warriors  /  with  their  wounds  were 

thriving, 
48        And  which  of  the  youths . 


106 


Waldere 


she  heartened  him  eagerly  : 

"  Indeed  Weland's  /  work  not  faileth 
Any  among  men  /  who  the  Mimming  can, 
The  hoary  one  handle.  /  Oft  in  the  host  hath  fallen 
Blood-sweating  and  sword-wounded  /  swain  after 

other. 

Attila's  Vanguard,  /  let  not  thy  valour  yet 
Dwindle  to-day,  /  thy  dominance  pass. 
For  the  day  is  come 

When  truly  thou  shalt  take  /  of  two  things  either  ; 
Thy  life  shalt  lose  /  or  lasting  glory 
Own  among  men,  /  Aelfhere's  son. 
Never  of  thee,  my  friend,  /  the  fault  do  I  name 
That  I  have  seen  thee  /  in  the  sword-play 
By  ignominy  /  with  any  man 
Avoid  to  fight,  /or  flee  to  the  wall, 
Defending  thy  body,  /  though  foes  in  plenty 
Thy  byrny  coat  /  with  their  blades  were  hewing  ; 
But  thou  ever  farther  /  to  fight  didst  seek, 
To    parley   beyond    thy   border ;  /  therefore    thy 

peril  I  dreaded, 

For  that  thou  too  fiercely  /  to  fight  didst  seek 
In  that  encounter,  /  the  other  man's 
Pitched  battle.  /  Prosper  thyself 
By  gallant  deeds,  /  while  God  for  thee  careth. 
Nor  be  troubled  for  thy  sword  ;  /  to  thee  is  the 

choicest  of  treasure 
Given,  to  help  thee,  /  wherewith  thou  shalt 

Guthhere's 

Boasting  abase,  /  because  he  that  battle  began, 
Unfairly,  /  the  first  to  seek. 

Refused  he  the  sword  /  and  the  flagon  jewelled, 
And  bracelets  many  ;  /  now,  both  of  them  lacking, 

107 


Shall  hie  from  this  fight  /  the  lord,  to  find 
His  ancient  heritage,  /  or  here,  first,  slumber 
If  he  the  . 


II 

" a  better  blade 

Save  that  one  only  /  which  eke  I  have 

In  a  stone  chest  /  stealthily  hidden. 

I  wot  that  Theodric  /  thought  to  send  it 

To  Widia's  self,  /  and  great  wealth  also 

Of  treasure  with  that  blade  ;  /  and  a  troop  of  them 

beside  him 

With  gold  to  adorn  ;  /  he  had  got  his  fee  of  old 
When  out  of  his  narrow  straits  /  Nithhad's  kinsman, 
Weland's  son,  /  Widia  sent  him  ; 
When  from  the  giants'  fold  /  forth  he  hastened." 
Waldere  made  answer,  /  a  warrior  stout, 
Held  in  his  hand  /  his  help  in  battle, 
The  grip  of  his  war-blade,  /  and  in  words  boasted : 
'  What !  didst  thou  indeed  believe,  /  Lord  of  the 

Burgunds, 

That  me  Hagena's  hand  /  had  held  in  battle, 
And  driven  from  the  fight  ?  /  Fetch  if  thou  darest 
At  my  hoary  byrny,  /  thus  battle-weary. 
Is  happed  here  about  my  shoulders  /  the  heirloom 

of  Aelfhere, 

Good,  broad-fronted,  /  with  gold  fashioned, 
In  all  things  blameless,  /  an  atheling's  garment 
For;him  to  have  /  when  his  hand  defendeth 
Hislife -hoard  from  foes ;  /  nor  proves  it  false  to  me 
When  men  unkind,  /  again  beginning, 
Meet  with  their  blades,  /  as  me  ye  did. 
Yet  victory  may  he  own  /  who  ever  is 
Ready  and  resolute  /  for  all  things  righteous  ; 
Whoso  him  to  the  Holiest  /for  help  entrusteth, 
To  God  for  favour  ;  /  will  he  find  it  readily 
If  on  that  reward  /  he  thinketh  ever. 
Then  may  the  proud  /  divide  possessions, 
Wielding  power  ;  /  that  is " 

108 


Deor 

Weland  among  the  Wurmas  /  wandered  in  exile, 
A  single-minded  earl  /  he  suffered  hardship, 
He  had  for  his  comrades  /  care  and  longing, 
Winter-cold  wretchedness  ;  /  woe  he  often  found, 
When  Nithhad  him  /  with  need  constrained, 
Bitter  sinew-cutting  /  of  a  better  man. 
That  overpassing,  /  this  also  may. 

To  Beadohild  was  not  /  her  brothers'  death 
As  sore  in  her  soul  /  as  herself  s  own  plight, 
10         For  clearly  she  /  conceived  had 

That  she  was  mothering  ;  /  nor  might  she  ever 
With  certainty  think  /  how  that  should  be. 

13  We  have  heard,  we  many,  /  of  Hilda's  raping. 

14  That  overpassing,  /  this  also  may. 

Was  deep  beyond  plumbing  /  the  passion  of  the 

Geat 

So  that  sorrow  of  love  /  his  sleep  all  stole. 
That  overpassing,  /  this  also  may. 

Theodoric  was  banished  /  thirty  winters 

From   the   Maerings'    burgh ;   /  to   many    'twas 

known. 
20  That  overpassing,  /  this  also  may. 

We  have  asked  and  learned  of  /  Eormanrices 
Wolfish  thoughts  /  (he  ruled  widely  the  folk 
Of  the  Gothic  realm)  ;  /  that  was  a  grim  King. 
Sate  many  a  wight  /  by  sorrows  bounden, 
Woe  awaiting,  /  wished  well  enough 
That  overcome  /  that  kingdom  were. 

That  overpassing,  /  this  also  may. 


109 


Sitteth  any  sorrowful,  /  severed  from  fortune, 

His  soul  darkened,  /  to  himself  thinketh  he 

That  his  share  of  evil  /  endless  is  ? 

Let  him  then  bethink  him  /  that  beyond  this  world 

Our  Lord  All-Wise  /  often  changeth  ;      , 

To  many  an  earl  /  His  Mercy  sheweth, 

Sure  glory  ;  /  to  some  a  share  of  woes 

And  I  of  myself  /  will  say  this  thing, 
That  a  while  I  was  /  the  Heodenings'  bard  ; 
To  my  duke  was  I  dear  ;  /  and  Deor  was  my  name, 
I  had,  for  many  winters,  /  a  worthy  office, 
A  handsome  lord,  /  until  Heorrenda  now, 
A  man  skilled  in  lays,  /  the  land-right  has  taken 
Which  the  Guardian  of  Earls  /  of  old  had  given  me. 
That  overpassing,  /  this  also  may. 


no 


Notes 

WIDSITH 

I  must  again  turn  the  reader  to  the  edition  of  Widsith,  a  Study 
in  Old  English  Heroic  Legend,  by  Mr.  R.  W.  Chambers,  pub 
lished  in  1912  by  the  Cambridge  University  Press.  There  are, 
in  the  poem,  143  lines  ;  in  the  book  274  pages,  on  which  the 
innumerable  stories  of  history  and  myth  suggested  by  each  of 
the  names  in  Widsith 's  catalogues  are  cunningly  explored.  Here 
I  can  refer  to  those  only  of  the  first  importance  or  who  figure  in 
the  other  poems. 

Widsith,  the  real,  assumed,  or  symbolical  name  of  a  wandering 
minstrel,  means  simply  "  the  wide  traveller."  The  lock  of  his 
word-hoard  is,  of  course,  the  "  barrier  of  teeth  "  which  we  find 
in  Homer. 

I  have  used  the  word  "  meiny  "  here,  and  several  times  in  Beo 
wulf,  to  render  the  Old  English  "  maegth,"  a  tribe,  or  group  of 
people.  For  this  word  as  for  its  parent  "  maeg,"  a  kinsman  or 
comrade,  there  is  no  good  equivalent  with  the"  m  "  initial  which 
alliteration  requires,  though  "  maeg  "  can  sometimes  be  rendered 
"  mate." 

The  Myrgings  seem  (see  43)  to  have  lived  south  of  the  Angles, 
i.e.,  between  the  Eider,  the  Elbe  and  the  Baltic. 
But  Ealhhild  is  a  Lombard,  daughter  of  Eadwine  (Audoin) ; 
Widsith  seems  to  have  escorted  her  when  she  went  as  bride  to 
the  Gothic  King  Eormanric. 

Eormanric  (Hermanaricus),  who  died  about  A.D.  375  in  his 
i  loth  year,  remained  for  centuries  a  type  of  the  fierce  and  martial 
tyrant.  In  Beowulf  (1200)  Hama  fled  from  his  cunning,  bearing 
off  the  Brosings'  Collar.  Deor  (21)  had  heard  of  his  wolfish 
thoughts.  "  Fierce  and  faithless  "  he  seems  to  Widsith,  yet  he 
(89)  "  was  good  to  me  ;  a  bracelet  he  gave  me  "  ;  and  his 
courtiers  were  "  the  best  of  boon- companions." 
Alexander  seems  an  anachronism,  but  his  story  had  travelled 
through  the  West,  and  Jordanes  speaks  of  him  as  a  parallel  to 
Eormanric. 

Under  Gifica  (Gibeche)  the  Burgunds  were  still  neighbours  of 
Huns,  Goths,  Greeks  and  Finns  in  the  Vistula  country.  In 
W  alder  e  we  find  them  settled  in  the  West,  under  Gunther. 
The  Greeks  are  called  "  Creacs  "  here  and  in  76  Caesar  here  is 
the  Emperor  of  the  East. 
See  my  note  to  Deor,  36. 

Wada,  whose  name  survives  in  Yorkshire,  had  a  great  literary 
career.  We  find  in  Chaucer  and  Mallory  rumours  of  his  strength 

in 


and  of  his  magic  boat.  He  was  also  ascribed  as  father  to  Weland. 

24  Theodric  the  Frank,  son  of  Clovis,  was  father  of  Theodebert, 
who  killed  Beowulf's  uncle  Higelac  in  Friesland. 

25  Breca  of  the  Brondings  is  the  hero  who  swam  with  Beowulf 
(499-606). 

27         Finn,  son  of  Folcwalda,  is  the  hero  of  the  episode  in  Beowulf 

(1068-1159)  and  the  lord  of  Finnsburgh. 
29        Hnaef,  son  of  Hoc,  was  the  brother  of  Finn's  Queen,  Hilde- 

burh,  and  was  killed  at  Finnsburgh  (Beowulf,  1070). 

31  Ongentheow  is,  in  Beowulf,  the  father  of  Onela  and  Ohthere, 
who  is  killed  in  the  fight  with  Higelac  at  Ravenswood. 

32  The  Longbeards  (Lombards)  are  here  still  in  their  northern 
home  on  the  banks  of  the  Elbe. 

33  The  Hetwaras  (Hatuarii)  figure  twice  in  Beowulf  (lines  2363, 
2916)  as  the  enemy,  fighting  whom  Higelac  was  killed  in  Fries- 
land. 

35  Offa  :  there  were  two  Kings  of  this  name,  one  in  the  contin 
ental  Anglia,  the  other,  his  descendant,  an  actual  King  of  Mercia. 
One  of  them  is,  in  Beowulf,  the  husband  of  a  fierce  Queen, 
Thrytho.  The  story  of  the  first  Offa  is  told  at  length  by  Saxo. 
In  youth  he  was  stupid  and  speechless,  but  came  forward  as  the 
champion  of  his  country,  which  he  defended  in  a  duel  by  Fifeldor 
(the  river  Eider). 

44  The  Swaef  (Suabian)  is  apparently  equivalent  here  to  Myrging. 
Of  the  latter  nothing  can  be  said  with  certainty  beyond  what 
this  poem  says. 

45  Hrothwulf  (Beowulf,  1017,  1181)  was  probably  son  of  Hrothgar's 
brother,  Halga  the  Kind  (id.  61).  He  is  also  hero  of  the  Saga  of 
Rolf  Kraki,  where  his  father  is  Helgi,  his  uncle  Hroarr,  and  his 
grandfather  Half  dan.  From  Beowulf  we  guess  that  the  peace 
between  uncle  and  nephew  is  not  to  last :  in  line  1 1 63  : 

even  where  the  goodly  twain 

Sate,  the  uncle  and  the  nephew  ;  still  were  they  at  each  at  peace 
together, 

and  earlier  (1015)  we  find 

the  kinsmen  of  all  there  .  .  . 
Hrothgar  and  Hrothulf .  Heorot  within  was 
Filled  with  friends  ;  no  fashion  of  treason 
The  Shielding-People  shaped  that  while. 

Later,  we  can  discern  from  Saxo  that  Hrothwulf  deposed  and 
killed  the  son  of  his  uncle  Hrothgar,  and  that  he  himself  was 
attacked  and  killed  by  Heoroweard,  the  son  of  Hrothgar's  elder 
brother,  mentioned  in  Beowulf  only  as  being  deprived  of  the 
succession  to  his  father's  armour. 

48  Ingeld,  son  of  Froda,  is  the  Heathobeard  prince  mentioned  by 
Beowulf  (2064)  as  betrothed  to  Hrothgar's  daughter,  in  order 
to  heal  an  old  feud.  What  that  feud  was  is  suggested  here. 

112 


The  Burgunds  (ej.  19)  have  perhaps  moved  to  their  Western 
home.  Guthhere  is  the  "  Lord  of  the  Burgunds  "  addressed 
in  Waldere,  (56). 

Aelfwine  and  his  father,  Eadwine,  are  the  Alboin  and  Audoin, 
who  brought  the  Lombards  into  Italy.  It  seems  here  that  Ead 
wine  had  also  a  daughter,  Ealhhild,  who  was  given  in  marriage 
to  Eormanric.  That  Audoin  died  in  565,  whereas  Eormanric 
was  born  about  265  is  a  discrepancy  which  need  not  detain  us. 
This  Caesar  is  probably  the  Western,  as  opposed  to  the  Eastern 
Emperor  in  line  20  ;   and  the  Welsh  kingdom  is  Rome. 
"  Skating- Finns :  "  the  Scritobini  or  Scridefinnas,  so  called  from 
their  practice  of  crossing  the  ground  on  snow-shoes  or  skis. 
"  Lidwicings : "  the  Armoricans.  The  Britons  having  invaded 
their  country,  killed  the  men  and  cut  the  tongues  of  the  women, 
so  that  their  children  might  not  learn  the  Armorican  tongue. 
Hence,  says  the  chronicler,  "  illos  vocamus  in  nostra  lingua 
Letewicion,  id  est  Semitacentes,  quoniam  confuse  loquuntur." 
This  is  obscure,  but  compare  the  sword  given  by  Valdabrun  to 
Guenes  in  the  Song  of  Roland,  620  : 

"  Take  now  this  sword,  and  better  sword  has  none  ; 
Into  the  hilt  a  thousand  coins  are  run." 

The  poet  gives  the  treasure  he  has  received  in  a  foreign  court  to 
his  own  King,  on  his  return.  So  we  find  Beowulf  presenting  the 
best  of  Hrothgar's  gifts  to  his  master,  Higelac. 
"  East-Gota,  old  and  gallant,"  is  the  earliest,  save  Alexander, 
of  the  heroes  who  figure  in  Widsith,  being  Ostrogotha,  King  of 
all  the  Goths,  who  crossed  the  Danube  and  wasted  Moesia  and 
Thrace  in  the  reign  of  the  Emperor  Philip  (A.D.  244-249). 
Cassiodorus  says  of  him  :  "  Enituit  enim  Ostrogotha  patientia." 
"  Theodric."  We  have  seen  Theodric  the  Frank  at  line  24  ; 
Mr.  Chambers  argues  and,  I  think ,  proves,  that  this  is  the  Gothic 
champion,  Dietrich  von  Bern,  whom  legend  makes  the  nephew 
of  Eormanric  and  a  victim  of  his  treachery.  This  is  the  Theo 
dric  who  (in  Waldere)  thought  to  send  a  sword,  and  great 
treasure  to  Widia  ;  and  vhose  story  is  hinted  in  two  lines  of 
Deor.  Seafola  then  becomes  his  retainer,  Sabene  of  Ravenna. 
'  The  Wistula  Wood  :  "  Mr.  Chambers  says  :  "  The  Goths  left 
the  Vistula  towards  the  end  of  the  second  century  A.D.  (Hodgkin's 
Italy,  I,  40).  These  lines,  therefore,  preserve  a  very  early  tra 
dition,  but  we  can  draw  no  exact  chronological  argument  from 
the  allusion  except  that  we  are  here  dealing  with  saga  and  not 
with  history.  The  wood  is  probably  to  be  identified  with  the 
Mirkwood  which,  in  later  Icelandic  story,  separates  Goths  and 
Huns." 

Wudga  is  in  Waldere  Widia,  the  son  of  Weland  by  Beadohild, 
daughter  of  Nithhad.  In  Jordanes  he  is  "  Vidigoia,  Gothorum 
fortissimus,"  in  the  later  German  epics  he  is  Wittich,  a  type  of 

113  i 


treachery.  Hama  is  obscurely  mentioned  in  Beotculf  (1198)  as 
carrying  off  the  Brosings'  Collar,  and  flying  from  Eormanric's 
cunning.  In  the  Thidreks  Saga  he  figures  as  Heimir  Studasson, 
who  after  a  long  career  as  a  robber-chief  enters  a  monastery. 
(See  my  note  on  Beowulf  1198).  From  129  we  see  that  V/udga 
and  Hama  were  not  natives  of  the  country  they  ruled,  though 
we  are  not  told  where  that  country  was,  or  how  the  two  came 
together. 

135  The  poem  ends,  as  it  began,  with  nine  lines,  not  put  into  the 
mouth  of  Widsith  himself,  but  generally  descriptive  of  the  poet's 
lot,  which  has  altered  little  in  these  fifteen  centuries. 

BEOWULF 

4  There  is  some  confusion  between  this  "  Scyld  Scefing,"  Shield 
of  the  Sheaf,  and  the  Angles'  ancestor  Sceaf,  to  whom  William 
of  Malmesbury  ascribes  a  similar  origin  :  "  Iste  ut  ferunt,  in 
quandam  insulam  Germaniae  Scandzam  .  .  .  appulsus  navi 
sine  remige,  puerulus,  posito  ad  caput  frumenti  manipulo, 
dormiens,  ideoque  Sceaf  nuncupates,  ab  hominibus  regionis 
illius  pro  miraculo  exceptus  et  sedulo  nutritus  :  adulta  aetate 
regnavit  in  oppido  quod  tune  Slaswic,  nunc  vero  Haithebi  ap- 
pellatur."  Sceaf  appears  in  the  Anglo-Saxon  pedigrees  as  a  son 
born  in  the  Ark  to  Noah,  and  ancestor  of  the  English  Kings.  In 
Widsith  (32)  Sceaf  rules  the  Lombards.  On  the  other  hand, 
Scyld  is  the  Danes'  ancestor,  whence  their  name  of  Shieldings. 

1 8  This  Beowulf  is  not  the  hero  of  the  poem.  He  disappears  finally 
at  line  56. 

32  Here,  as  in  the  fine  passage  223 1-2270,  the  poet  touches  on  cust 
oms  which  even  to  him  were  archaic,,  with  feeling  and  imagina 
tion. 

57  Halfdane  and  his  sons  come  also  in  Saxo  and  in  the  Saga  of  Rolf 
Kraki.  From  467  we  learn  that  Heorogar  died  in  Hrothgar's 
youth  ;  from  2158  that  he  did  not  leave  his  armour  to  his  son, 
Heoroweard,  but  that  Hrothgar  gave  it  to  Beowulf.  Hrothgar  is 
at  once  a  type  of  the  wise  old  ruler,  and  of  the  doomed  son  of  an 
accursed  race.  Throughout  all  his  misfortunes,  when  he  is  wholly 
helpless,  he  is  called  the  Helm  of  Shieldings,  the  Shepherd  of 
his  Folk,  and  so  forth.  Nor  is  his  story  finished  in  Beowulf.  We 
learn  (2020)  that  he  wished  to  give  his  daughter  to  the  Heatho- 
beard  Prince  Ingeld,  in  order  to  heal  an  old  feud.  But  he  himself, 
Saxo  tells  us,  was  slain  by  one  "  Hodbroddus,"  in  whose  name 
the  Heathobeard  seems  to  lurk.  His  sons,  Hrethric  and  Hroth- 
mund,  were  still  young  (1180,  etc.),  and  he  was  succeeded  by 
Hrothulf,  the  son  of  his  younger  brother,  Halga.  Halga  is  the 
Helgi  Hundingsbane  of  the  Sagas,  and  Hrothulf  is  Rolf  Kraki. 
In  Saxo  the  dispossessed  cousin,  Heoroweard,  reappears  (as 

114 


Hiarwarus),  falling  upon  Rolf  and  his  men  in  the  blazing  hall. 
Thus,  though  it  is  nowhere  said  in  the  poem,  the  Shielding 
dynasty  was  one  stained  with  fratricide  and  other  tragic  frailties. 
Against  this  background,  too  familiar  for  statement  to  the  list 
eners  gathered  about  the  singing  poet,  the  simplicity,  honesty 
and  courage  of  Beowulf  and  the  Geats  are  unmistakably  out 
lined. 

The  MS.  has  "  hyrde  ic  th.  elan  cwen  heatho-scilfingas  heals- 
gebedda."  "  Heard  I  that  elan  "  (or  "  ela's  ")  "  queen,  a  Battle- 
Scilfing's  neck-bedfellow."  Grundtvig  suggested  that  elan  is 
part  of  the  word  Onelan,  and  that  Halfdane's  fourth  child,  a 
daughter,  was  married  to  the  Swedish  King  Onela,  of  -whom 
later. Mr.  Wyatt reads"  hyrde  ic, thaet  Elan  cwen  Ongentheowes 
waes,"  making  the  lady's  name  Elan,  and  herself  the  wife  of 
Ongentheow.  This  identifies  her  with  the  "  gossip  "  in  line 
2930,  and  makes  her  mother  of  Onela  and  Ohthere.  Another 
suggestion  is  to  borrow  the  names  Signy  and  Saevil  from  the 
Saga  of  Rolf  Kraki  and  read"  hyrde  ic,  thaet  Sigeneow  Saewelan 
cwen  waes."  But  the  matter  is  of  little  importance. 
The  Swedes  are  called  Scilfings  or  Scylfings,  as  the  Danes  are 
called  Scyldings  (Shieldings).  Both  names  are  compounded, 
usually  to  help  out  alliteration  ;  so  that  we  have  North — , 
South — ,  East — ,  West — ,  Spear — ,  Ring — ,  Bright-Danes, 
Honour — ,  Triumph- Shieldings,  etc.  The  Swedish  Kings  in 
Beowulf  are  Ongentheow  and  his  son,  Onela.  A  younger  son, 
Ohthere,  is  father  of  Eanmund  and  Eadgils,  who  rebel  against 
Onela,  are  banished,  and  take  refuge  with  Beowulf's  cousin, 
Heardred,  at  the  Geatish  court.  This  results  in  the  campaigns 
described  towards  the  end  of  Beowulf. 

HEOROT  means  Hart.  The  horns  (82)  were  probably  antlers  fixed 
to  or  carved  upon  the  gables  as  symbols. 

"  Nor  was  it  long  " — this  refers  to  the  fight  between  Hrothgar 
and  the  Heathobeards  ;  see  Widsith  45-9.  It  was,  perhaps,  in  a 
later  fight  that  Hrothgar  was  killed,  and  the  first  fight  may  have 
come  before  Grendel's  invasion. 

This  hymn,  in  its  reiteration  of  a  simple  thought,  recalls  the 
famous  Hymn  of  Caedmon,  and  is  probably  contemporary. 
Properly  speaking,  there  are  no  Christian  passages  in  Beowulf, 
but  this  seems  to  indicate  that  the  poet  had  had  a  monastic 
schooling.  Notice,  too,  at  175  his  contempt  for  the  heathen  prac 
tices  to  which,  after  and  in  spite  of  this  hymn,  his  Danes  revert. 
In  Beowulf  the  words  "  gast,"  a  ghost  or  spirit,  and  "  gist,"  a 
guest  or  stranger,  are  both  often  written  "  gaest,"  which  leads 
to  confusion.  But  a  guest,  in  Old  English,  was  seldom  an  ex 
pected,  and  not  often  a  welcome  guest.  Hence  to  this  midnight 
murderer  one  word  is  as  fitting  as  the  other.  The  villain  enters 
before  the  hero. 

"5 


'oy  This,  though  not  a  "  Christian  passage,"  implies  an  acquaint 
ance  with,  at  least,  the  Old  Testament.  "  He  "  in  115  is  still 
Grendel. 

168  This  is  one  of  the  cruces  of  the  poem.  A  literal  rendering  is 
"  Nor  he  the  "  (or  "  that  ")  "  Gift- Stool  greet  "  (or  "  visit  ") 
"  might,  with  treasure  before  the  Creator,  nor  know  his  mind  " 
(or  "  nor  have  his  desire  ").  The  difficulty  is  to  determine 
whether  "  he  "  is  Hrothgar  or  Grendel,  and  whether  "  his  "  is 
Hrothgar's,  Grendel's,  or  the  Creator's  mind.  On  the  whole  I 
prefer  to  take  "  he  "  as  Hrothgar  ;  its  prominence  in  the  line 
suggests  a  fresh  subject,  and  Grendel  was  subject  of  the  last 
sentence.  This  reading  makes  line  170  simple  also.  Hrothgar 
was  ashamed  because  he  could  not  visit  the  Gift-Stool,  the 
Sacred  Throne  or  Royal  Altar  in  his  Hall,  from  which  he  had 
planned  to  deal  out  shares  of  wealth  to  all  his  people.  And  he 
could  not  visit  it  because  the  hall  was  defiled  by  Grendel.  On 
the  other  hand,  it  is  held  that  "  he  "  is  Grendel,  who  was  allowed 
to  ravage  the  hall,  but  prevented  by  some  charm  from  violating 
the  sanctuary,  and  from  interpreting  (as  the  King  must)  the  Will 
of  God. 

j  80  This  follows  harshly  upon  the  hymn  of  lines  92-98.  But  one  can 
imagine  that  a  poet,  himself  a  convert  or  the  son  of  converts  to 
Christianity  in  England,  would  feel  some  doubt  as  to  the  faith 
of  his  Continental  ancestors. 

194  "  Higelac's  Thegn  "  is  the  hero  of  the  poem,  BEOWULF,  the  son 
of  Ecgtheow,  by  a  daughter  of  the  Geatish  King  Hrethel.  From 
this  point  in  the  story  the  Danes  fade  into  insignificance,  and 
Beowulf  and  his  "  handful  "  hold  the  field.  The  Geats  are  placed 
by  Widsith  (58)  between  the  Swedes  and  the  South-Danes. 
They  seem  to  have  lived  in  the  southern  part  of  modern  Sweden, 
beyond  Lakes  Wener  and  Wetter,  and  to  have  waged  incessant 
war  with  the  Swedes  across  these  lakes.  "  Was  deep  beyond 
plumbing,"  says  Deor,  "  the  passion  of  the  Geat,"  meaning, 
apparently,  Nithhad,  the  captor  and  tormentor  of  Weland  the 
Smith. 

240  There  is  no  gap  here,  but  some  words  are  plainly  missing.  I 
follow  Bugge's  emendation.  Throughout  the  text  I  have  printed 
in  italics  all  words  that  represent  serious  additions  to  or  alterations 
of  the  MSS.  of  these  poems. 

303  The  Boar's  image  worn  upon  the  helmet  (as  crests  were  worn  in 
the  days  of  chivalry)  was  a  symbol  of  Freya.  Its  use  is  mentioned 
by  Tacitus  (Germanta,  xlv.)  :  "  Insigne  superstitionis  formas 
aprorum  gestant :  id  pro  armis  omnique  tutela  securum  deae 
cultorem  etiam  inter  hostis  praestat."  Aid  what  remains  of  such 
a  helmet  was  found  in  a  Derbyshire  barrow  in  1848. 

340       The  Weders  are  the  Geats. 

389      These  two  half-lines  were  suggested  by  Grein  to  remedy  the 


defective  alliteration,  and  fill  a  gap  in  the  narrative.  There  is  none 
in  the  MS.  here  or  in  403. 

Etins  seem  to  have  existed  on  land  and  sea.  A  thousand  years 
later,  in  The  Knight  of  the  Burning  Pestle  (I,  ii)  the  Citizen's 
Wife  tells  us  :  "  Faith,  husband,  and  Ralph  says  true  ;  for  they 
say  the  King  of  Portugal  cannot  sit  at  his  meat,  but  the  giants 
and  the  ettins  will  come  and  snatch  it  from  him."  Nicors  are 
more  properly  sea-monsters.  I  heard  of,  but  did  not  see,  the 
arrival  of  one  upon  the  shore  of  the  Isle  of  Portland,  in  the 
autumn  of  1914.  It  was  described  as  a  fish  of  repellent  appear 
ance,  which  lay  at  high  water-mark,  beneath  Portland  Castle, 
gasping  audibly.  A  native  at  once  named  it  a  "  nicor,"  but  I 
have  never  seen  the  modern  word  defined. 
The  "  Hrethmen  "  (Triumph-men)  are  here,  most  inappro 
priately,  the  suffering  and  discomfited  Danes.  The  word  is 
generally  used  of  the  Goths,  as  of  Eormanric,  the  Hreth-King, 
in  Widsith  7.  This  and  the  next  lines  suggest  a  speech  in  Virgil 
(Aeneid  x,  557-580) :  Istic  nunc,  metuende,  iace.  Non  te  optima 
mater 

Condet  humi,  patriove  onerabit  membra  sepulcro  : 
Alitibus  linquere  feris,  aut  gurgite  mersum 
Unda  feret,  piscesque  impasti  vulnera  lambent. 

Weland,  in  later  English  Wayland,  is  the  master-smith.  This 
armour  had  perhaps  come  to  Hrethel  from  Nithhad,  the  Geat 
by  whom  Weland  was  imprisoned  and  forced  to  work.  See  Dear. 
"  Leaving  "  (laf)  is  a  word  frequently  used  of  swords  and  armour, 
which  must  have  figured  prominently  among  the  heirlooms  of 
our  ancestors.  By  a  metaphor,  the  sword  is  spoken  of  as  the 
hammer's,  or  the  file's  legacy  ;  for  from  these  implements  its 
first  owner  may  be  said  to  have  inherited  it. 
"  Wyrd  "  (Destiny)  is  here  personified,  as  in  477.  Elsewhere 
the  word  is  used  of  the  destiny  allotted  to  a  man  or  men. 
This  is  the  story  alluded  to  by  Beowulf  at  420.  Breca  of  the 
Brondings  has  been  mentioned  in  Widsith.  Beowulf,  at  541, 
seems  to  imply  that  Breca  could  not  swim  faster  than  he,  and 
that  he  could  but  did  not  choose  to  swim  faster  than  Breca.  At 
581  he  breaks  into  what  the  sixteenth  century  Scots  poets  called 
a  "  flyting  "  and  charges  Unferth  with  the  murder  of  his  own 
brothers.  The  poet  repeats  this  charge  at  1167,  but  nothing  more 
is  known  of  it.  The  quarrel  is  made  up  at  1455,  when  Unferth 
lends  Beowulf  his  sword,  Hrunting,  to  fight  Grendel's  mother. 
There  is  a  quaint  parallel  to  the  story  of  Grendel's  visit  to  the 
fifteen  Geats  in  Heorot,  in  Treasure  Island,  when  Long  John 
Silver  comes  to  the  stockade  with  a  flag  of  truce,  and  says : 
"  That  was  a  good  lay  of  yours  last  night.  I  don't  deny  it  was  a 
good  lay.  Some  of  you  pretty  handy  with  the  hand 
spike  end.  And  I'll  not  deny  either  but  what  some  of  my 

117 


people  was  shook, — maybe  all  was  shook  ;  maybe  I  was  shook 
myself ;  maybe  that's  why  I'm  in  here  for  terms.  But  you  mark 
me,  cap'n,  it  won't  do  twice,  by  thunder  !  We'll  have  to  do 
sentry-go,  and  ease  off  a  point  or  so  on  the  rum.  Maybe  you 
think  we  were  all  a  sheet  in  the  wind's  eye.  But  I'll  tell  you  I  was 
sober  ;  I  was  on'y  dog-tired  ;  and  if  I'd  awoke  a  second  sooner 
I'd  a'  caught  you  at  the  act,  I  would.  He  wasn't  dead  when  I 
got  round  to  him,  not  he." 

"  Well  ?  "  says  Captain  Smollett,  as  cool  as  can  be.  All  that 
Silver  said  was  a  riddle  to  him,  but  you  would  never  have  guessed 
it  from  his  tone.  As  for  me,  I  began  to  have  an  inkling.  Ben  Gunn's 
last  words  came  back  to  my  mind.  I  began  to  suppose  that  he 
had  paid  the  buccaneers  a  visit  while  they  all  lay  drunk  together 
round  the  fire,  and  I  reckoned  up  with  glee  that  we  had  only 
fourteen  enemies  to  deal  with. — Treasure  Island,  chap.  xx. 

741       This  man  was  Hondscio  (2076). 

748       He  may  be  Beowulf  or  Grendel,  probably  the  latter,  as ' '  thoughts 
of  envy  (inwit-thonc)  "  implies  treacherous  intent. 

769  To  these  simple  ancients  a  shortage  of  ale  seemed  the  worst 
calamity  that  could  befall  them.  The  "  cruel  wardens  "  are 
apparently  Beowulf  and  Grendel. 

874  This,  the  Lay  of  Sigemund,  is  the  first  of  the  Episodes  in  Beo 
wulf.  In  the  later  and  more  familiar  story,  the  dragon  was  killed 
by  Sigemund's  son,  Sigurd  or  Siegfried.  Fitela  (Sinfiotli)  was 
the  son  of  Sigemund,  by  his  sister  Signy,  and  so  also  his  nephew. 
The  Waelsing  is  better  known  as  Volsung. 

900  Sigemund  as  a  good  and  heroic  King  is  a  type  of  Beowulf.  In 
Heremod,  here  and  at  1709,  we  find  the  contrast  of  a  bad  King, 
who  harms  his  people.  He  seems  to  have  been  a  King  of  the 
Danes,  of  a  dynasty  older  than  the  Shieldings. 

1017    Compare  Widsith,  45. 

1044  Ing  was,  according  to  Tacitus  (Germania,  ii)  one  of  the  three 
sons  of  Mannus,  son  of  the  earth-born  god  Tuisto,  from  whom 
the  tribe  nearest  the  ocean  take  the  name  of  Ingaevones.  This  is 
in  Beowulf  Ing-wine,  or  Ing's  Friends.  We  find  Ing  mentioned 
among  the  East-Danes  in  the  Runic  Poem. 

1068  The  Lay  of  Finn  is  the  longest  and  most  important  of  the  Epi 
sodes  in  Beotvulf.  It  appears  to  be  a  condensation  of  a  similar 
epic,  of  which  the  48  lines  called  Finnsburgh  (page  105-6)  are  a 
fragment.  The  story  seems  to  be  as  follows  : 

Finn,  King  of  the  Frisians,  or  Eotens,  had  carried  off  Hilde- 
burh,  daughter  of  the  Danish  King  Hoc,  and  sister  of  Hnaef 
and  Hengest.  After  some  years  her  brothers  invade  Finn's 
country,  and  in  their  attack  Hnaef  and  a  son  of  Finn  by 
Hildeburh  are  killed,  with  many  of  the  Frisians.  Peace  is 
signed,  and  the  surviving  Frisians  undertake  to  build  a  hall 
for  Hengest  and  his  Danes,  and  to  pay  them  tribute  daily. 

118 


The  bodies  of  the  slain  are  solemnly  burned.  It  is  now  mid 
winter,  and  Hengest  is  obliged  to  stay  among  the  Frisians  ; 
he  is  consumed  with  grief  for  his  brother,  and  plans  an  attack 
upon  Finn.  This  the  Frisians  anticipate,  and  in  the  Finns- 
burgh  fragment  we  find  them  attacking  Hengest  in  his  hall. 
According  to  the  fragment,  none  of  the  Danes  falls,  but  from 
Beowulf  (1142-4)  we  find  that  Hengest  is  killed.  Two  of  his 
men,  Guthlaf  and  Oslaf  (or  Ordlaf),  escape  to  Denmark,  return 
with  fresh  forces,  kill  Finn  and  loot  his  hall,  and  carry  back 
Hildeburh  (in  a  triumph  which  she  perhaps  does  not  share) 
to  her  own  people. 

"  Some  "  in  the  sense  (which  seems  to  have  survived  or  revived 
in  America)  of  "  many." 

Hunlafing  is  possibly  the  warrior  who  kills  Hengest  ;  but  the 
MS.  has  "  hun  lafing,"  and  the  words  may  be  separate.  If  so, 
Hun  is  the  warrior  (so  Widsith,  33)  and  Lafing  is  a  very  probable 
name  for  a  sword.  The  "  world's  ruling  "  is,  of  course,  death. 
Here  we  have  a  passage  such  as  is  commoner  in  other  poems, 
where  there  are  three  accented  syllables  in  each  half-line  (com 
pare  1705-7). 

It  is  evident  that  Hrothulf,  being  older  than  Hrothgar's  sons,  is 
regarded  as  the  heir  to  his  throne. 

Another  story,  of  which  tantalisingly  little  is  told.  We  have  seen 
Hama  in  Widsith  (124-130).  There  he  rules  as  an  exile,  by  dis 
tributing  "  wounden  gold."  Here  he  flees  into  exile — appar 
ently  into  a  cloister,  choosing  the  "  Eternal  Rule."  Mr.  Chambers 
(Widsith,  p.  56)  translates  a  passage  from  the  Thidreks  Saga, 
which  bears  on  this.  "  The  monastery  into  which  Heimir  has 
been  received  without  telling  his  name,  is  attacked  by  a  giant,  who 
challenges  the  monks.  Heimir  offers  to  meet  him,  and  asks  for 
the  weapons  which  he  has,  long  ago,  surrendered  to  the  abbot. 
The  abbot  answers  :  '  Thou  shalt  not  have  thy  sword  ;  it  was 
broken  asunder  and  a  door  hinge  of  made  it  here  in  the  monast 
ery.  And  the  rest  of  thine  armour  was  sold  in  the  market 
place.'  Then  spake  Heimir  :  '  Ye  monks  know  much  of  books 
but  little  of  chivalry  ;  had  ye  known  how  good  these  weapons 
were,  ye  had  never  parted  with  them.'  And  he  sprang  towards 
the  abbot,  and  took  his  cowl  in  both  hands  and  said  :  '  Verily 
thou  wast  a  fool,  if  no  iron  would  suit  thee  to  furnish  thy 
church  doors,  but  my  good  sword  Naglhring,  which  has  cut 
asunder  many  a  helm  like  cloth,  and  made  many  a  son  of  the 
giants  headless  ;  and  thou  shalt  pay  for  it.'  And  he  shook  the 
cowl,  with  the  head  inside,  so  hard  that  four  of  the  abbot's  teeth 
fell  out ;  three  on  to  the  floor,  and  the  fourth  down  his  throat. 
And  when  the  monks  heard  mention  of  Naglhring,  then  they 
knew  that  it  was  Heimir  Studasson,  of  whom  they  had  oft  heard 
tell.  And  they  were  sore  afraid,  and  took  the  keys  and  went  to 

119 


the  great  chest  where  all  his  weapons  were  stored.  One  took  his 
sword  Naglhring,  the  second  his  hauberk,  the  third  his  helm, 
the  fourth  his  shield,  and  the  fifth  his  spear.  And  all  these 
weapons  had  been  so  well  stored  that  they  were  no  whit  worse 
than  when  he  parted  with  them. 

"  And  Heimir  took  Naglhring  and  saw  how  fairly  its  edges  and 
its  gold  ornaments  shone  ;  and  it  came  into  his  mind  what  trust 
he  had  had  in  its  edges  each  time  that  he  should  fight.  And  as 
he  thought  of  many  a  happy  day,  and  how  he  had  ridden  out  to 
fight  with  his  fellows,  he  was  first  red  as  blood,  and  then  pale  as 
a  corpse.  And  he  kepti  silence  for  a  time.  After  that  he  asked 
where  was  his  horse  Rspa.  And  the  abbot  made  answer  :  '  Thy 
horse  used  to  draw  stones  to  the  church  ;  he  has  been  dead  many 
a  year.'  ' 

The  Brosings'  Collar  we  find  in  the  Elder  Edda.  It  was  won  from 
the  dwarfs  by  Freya,  and  stolen  from  her  by  Loki.  The  Brosings 
or  Brisings  probably  dwelt  on  the  rocky  summit  of  Alt-Breisach 
on  the  Rhine. 

1 202  This  other  Collar  Beowulf  gives  to  Higelac,  who  wears  it  on  his 
last  expedition  to  Friesland,  where  he  is  slain  and  robbed  by 
the  Franks  of  Theodebert. 

1214  "  Held  " — not  as  conquerors  (the  word's  usual  meaning),  but 
by  covering  it  with  their  corpses. 

1247  So  Tacitus  tells  us  (Germania,  xiii) :  "  Nihil  autem  neque  pub- 
licae  neque  privatae  rei  nisi  armati  agunt." 

1251  There  is  a  distinct  break  in  the  poem.  These  lines  (1251-78) 
sum  up  the  preceding  and  introduce  the  new  adventure.  This 
time  the  Danes  have  returned  to  sleep  in  their  hall,  and  the 
Geats  are  lodged  elsewhere. 

1257    This  "  long  time  "  was  one  or  two  days  at  most. 

1386     So  in  Virgil  (Aeneid  x,  467-9)  : 

Stat  sua  cuique  dies,  breve  et  irreparabile  tempus 
Omnibus  est  vitae :  sed  famam  extendere  factis, 
Hoc  virtutis  opus. 

1458    Swords  have  names  here,  as  in  Roland.  So  we  have  seen  Heimir 's 

sword  Naglhring  (Nail-ring)  and  shall  see  Beowulf's  last  sword 

(2680)  Naegling  (Nail's  offspring — its  hilt  was  perhaps  studded 

with  nails,  like  the  treasure-cup  at  2023). 
1558    "  Eotenish,"  here  and  at  2616  and  2979,  means  "  gigantic,"  the 

work  of  etins  ;  there  is  no  allusion  to  the  Eotens  of  King  Finn. 
1 594     It  is  difficult  to  explain  how,  if  water  could  not  get  into  the  hall, 

Grendel's  blood  rose  through  the  water. 
1643     Mead-plains  are  fields  in  which  the  ingredients  of  mead  are 

grown;  so,  too,  the  "mead-walk"  in  924. 
1653     The  alliteration  in  the  second  half-line  is  in  "  to,"  as  in  the 

original  (literally,  "  which  thou  here  to  lookest  "). 
1688    Runes  were  cut  on  the  hilts  of  swords.  This  story,  of  the  war 

120 


with  the  giants,  and  of  the  Deluge,  is  probably  the  oldest  of  all 
those  mentioned  in  the  poem. 

Beowulf  has  already  been  contrasted  «rith  Heremod  in  lines 
901-915. 

"  Worn  wundor-bebodum  wergan  gastes."  Woh  means  crooked, 
hence  wicked.  The  cursed  ghost  is  the  Tempter. 
The  poet  is  constantly  occupied  by  the  thought  of  man's  fleet 
ing  life,  his  forced  parting  from  his  wealth,  and  the  callous  in 
difference  of  his  heirs. 

The  suggestion  that  Hrethric,  the  elder  son  of  Hrothgar,  should 
take  service  among  the  Geats  may  be  inspired  by  the  prevision 
ef  a  war  with  the  Heathobeards,  of  which  Beowulf  speaks  later 
(2024-2069) ;  or  by  the  feeling  that  Hrothulf  would  not  protect 
Hrethric  (whom,  indeed,  he  appears  from  Saxo  to  have  murdered) 
after  the  death  of  Hrothgar. 

"  The  gannet's  bath,"  an  effective  synonym  for  the  sea,  is  used 
also  in  the  Chronicle  (anno  975)  in  a  short  poem  of  lament  for 
Edgar. 

A  King.  The  word  "  a  "  here  is  strongly  emphasised,  and  bears 
the  alliteration. 

Humble  "  hnah  " — mean,  base,  illiberal. 

As  Heremod  is  contrasted  with  Beowulf,  so  is  Thrytho  with 
Hygd.  From  the  Vita  Duorum  Off  arum  we  learn  of  the  Princess 
Drida,  condemned  to  death,  and  set  adrift  in  a  boat ;  carried  to 
the  shores  of  England,  and  taken  as  his  bride  by  Offa.  But  this 
is  the  second,  the  historic  Offa,  an  eighth  century  King  of  Mercia. 
The  story  seems  to  have  strayed  to  him  from  his  Anglian  an 
cestor,  whom  we  found  in  Widsitk  35.  But  the  man  she  killed 
was  her  daughter's,  not  her  own  suitor. 
"  Counsel,"  i.e.,  a  sentence  of  banishment. 
Beowulf  runs  through  the  tale  with  which  we  are  now  familiar, 
but  introduces  a  fresh  episode,  the  story  of  Hrothgar's  daughter, 
Freawaru,  and  what  is  likely  to  happen  if  she  goes  with  attend 
ants  to  the  court  of  Ingeld  the  Heathobeard.  There  is  possibly 
a  gap  here,  as  Section  XXVIII  begins  at  1962,  and  Section  XXXI 
at  2144.  There  is  no  Section-number  between  these  in  the  MS., 
and  the  space  left  between  2038  and  2039  is  singularly  inappro 
priate,  coming  in  the  middle  of  a  sentence.  I  have  used  the  word 
'  femme  '  in  2034  and  2059 — to  preserve  the  alliteration  of  the 
original  '  faemne  '  meaning  a  maiden,  or  bride. 
He  does  not  add  that  he  cut  off  Grendel's  head  also. 
Here  is  implied  a  contrast  between  the  Shieldings  (though  their 
crimes  and  treachery  are  never  specified)  and  the  blameless 
Geats.  With  this  giving  up  of  gifts  we  may  compare  Widsith's 
surrender  to  his  own  King,  Eadgils,  of  the  ring  given  to  him  by 
Eormanric. 
Here,  in  23  lines  which  end  the  story  of  Beowulf's  Adventures 


among  the  Danes,  we  have  a  summary  of  his  character.  Like  the 
elder  Offa,  he  had  been  considered  sluggish  in  his  youth. 

3195     See  my  note  on  Widsith,  91. 

2200  A  gap  of  some  sixty  years  is  indicated  by  the  asteriks  which  I 
have  placed  in  the  text  here.  As  it  happens,  the  fire  of  1731  has 
made  a  gap  also  in  the  MS.  Four  half- lines  are  entirely  lost,  and 
in  others  the  words  I  have  italicised  are  illegible.  After  the  mutil 
ated  lines  begins  what  is  certainly  the  most  imaginative,  and  I 
think  the  most  poetical  passage,  in  Beowulf.  With  a  rare  sense  of 
perspective,  the  poet  describes  the  hoard  of  treasure,  then  pic 
tures  the  long- dead  chief,  last  survivor  of  an  earlier  race,  who 
must  have  hidden  it  in  the  mound  ;  then  his  reason  for  hiding 
it,  and  so  his  elegy  (2247-2266)  on  his  dead  companions.  Then 
three  and  a  half  lines  summing  up  the  rest  of  his  life,  until 
"  Death's  tide  felt  at  his  heart."  After  making  allowances  every 
where  for  verbosity,  and  for  barrenness  of  grammatical  con 
struction,  the  reader  of  Beowulf  comes  upon  this  concise,  simple 
and  eloquent  passage  with  a  sense  of  joy,  as  one  who  comes  upon 
a  pool  where  he  may  dive  and  swim  after  walking  through  mile 
upon  mile  of  the  acrid  dust  and  ensnaring  stems  of  burned 
heather  upon  a  moor. 

2270  "  He  "  in  the  first  half-line  is  the  dead  chief  ;  in  the  second,  the 
dragon. 

2288  "  Stone  tha  aefter  stane,  stearc-heort  onfand  Feondes  fot-last  "  ; 
a  strong  and  effective  phrase. 

2354  This,  as  I  have  pointed  out  in  the  preface,  brings  us  in  touch 
with  a  historical  invasion  of  Friesland,  in  the  first  quarter  of  the 
sixth  century,  in  which  Chocilaicus  (Higelac)  was  killed.  We 
have  had  the  Hetware  in  Widsith  (33).  They  appear  to  be  the 
same  as  the  classical  Hatuarii. 

2370  The  boy  is  Heardred,  son  of  Higelac  and  Hygd.  As  Hrothulf 
had  succeeded  his  uncle,  Hrothgar,  so  the  Geatish  throne  is 
offered  to  Beowulf  (the  "  atheling  "  of  2374). 

2378  "  He  "  here,  and  "  him  "  in  the  next  line,  refer  to  Heardred. 
He  seems  to  have  given  shelter  to  Eanmund  and  Eadgils,  the 
sons  of  Ohthere,  when  they  were  banished  by  their  uncle  Onela. 
He  (the  "  Ongentheow's  bairn  "  of  2397)  pursues  them,  and  kills 
Heardred.  He  then  retires,  leaving  Beowulf  on  the  Geatish 
throne.  Beowulf  continues  to  support  Eadgils  (although  his  re 
tainer  Weohstan  has  slain  Eanmund,  as  at  2612)  and  follows 
Onela  to  his  own  country,  where  he  kills  him,  in  a  battle  on  the 
frozen  surface  of  Lake  Wener. 

2396  "  Cealdum  cear-sithum  "  in  cold  care-marches.  The  two  words 
outline  a  picture  as  clear  as  Balzac's  long  story  of  the  Beresina. 

2430  There  was  tragedy  in  the  Geatish  as  in  the  Danish  dynasty,  but 
it  was  by  chance,  not  through  malice,  that  Haethcyn  killed  his 
brother,  Herebeald.  Haethcyn,  however,  is  killed  by  the  Swedes, 

122 


Ongentheow  and  his  sons,  in  one  of  their  attacks  on  Hreosna 
Hill  (Hreosnabeorh). 

Haethcyn  was  killed,  but  his  brother,  Higelac,  avenged  him  by 
the  hand  of  Eofor.  Later  we  find  that  Higelac  rewards  Eofor 
with  the  hand  of  his  only  daughter  (2997).  This  battle  is  des 
cribed  again  in  lines  2946-2998. 
"  Him  "  and  "  he  "  refer  to  Higelac. 

The  "  Yifthas  "  are  probably  the  Gepidae  (see  Widsith,  60), 
whose  King,  Fastida,  sent  a  foolish  challenge  to  Ostrogotha. 
The  "  Hugas,"  with  the  Franks  and  Frisians,  opposed  Higelac 
in  his  last  battle. 

"  The  ring- twister  "  (hring-boga)  describes  the  serpentine 
advance  of  the  dragon. 

This  sword  is  called  "  Naegling,"  or  "  Nailing,"  at  2680.  Here 
the  word  is  "  incgelafe,"  whose  meaning  is  uncertain.  As  good 
as  any  other  rendering  is  to  suppose  that  this  is  the  Danish  sword, 
presented  by  Hrothgar,  the  "  Lord  of  Ing's  Friends,"  to  Beo 
wulf,  and  that  it  is  in  some  way  connected  with  Ing,  the  founder 
of  the  earlier  Danish  house. 

Wiglaf  is  here  a  Scylfing  (but  in  2814  he  is  one  of  Beowulf's 
kindred)  and  a  Waegmunding.  Mr.  Wyatt  suggests  that  Ecgtheow 
and  Weohstan  were  brothers,  and  sons  of  Waegmund,  who  was 
a  brother  of  Ongentheow  and  son  of  Scylf .  It  is  possible  that  he 
is  called  "  a  lord  of  Scylfings,"  because  he  had  inherited 
Scylfing  heirlooms  from  his  father,  who  had  won  them  from 
Eanmund. 

As  writing  was  originally  done  with  a  knife,  upon  wood,  the 
suggestion  that  Beowulf,  in  wounding  the  dragon,  carved  runes 
of  death  upon  it,  is  obvious  and  effective. 

There  is  something  of  the  scene  between  Roland  and  Turpin 
here,  and  more  of  Arthur  and  Bedivere. 

The  nature  of  this  sign  or  standard,  as  of  that  set  up  over  Shield 
of  the  Sheaf  (47),  is  uncertain. 

So  Tacitus  (Germania,  vi) :  "  Scutum  reliquisse  praecipuum 
flagitium,  nee  aut  sacris  adesse  aut  concilium  inire  ignominioso 
fas  ;  multique  superstites  bellorum  infamiam  laqueo  finierunt." 
Here  again  we  have  a  reference  to  the  last  fight  of  Higelac  in 
Friesland.  And,  at  2922,  a  further  account  of  the  fight  at  Ravens- 
wood,  in  which  we  are  told  how  Ongentheow  delivers  his  wife 
(possibly  the  daughter  of  Halfdane,  mentioned  at  62)  from  the 
Geats  who  had  carried  her  off  ;  and  how  Higelac  (after  Haethcyn 
has  been  killed)  comes  to  the  rescue  of  his  Geats,  and  drives  the 
Swedes  back  across  the  plain  of  peace.  Wulf  and  Eofor,  sons  of 
Wonred,  attack  Ongentheow.  Wulf  falls  wounded,  but  Eofor 
kills  the  old  King,  and  is  rewarded  with  the  hand  of  Higelac '« 
daughter. 


, 


3005  This  line  has  been  regarded  as  a  repetition  of  2052,  and  as  pre 
senting  a  difficulty,  which  I  myself  cannot  see,  unless  in  the 
suggested  reading  "  Scylfings."  The  speaker  is  rapidly  sum 
marizing  Beowulf's  career  backwards.  This  line  refers  to  the 
fight  with  Grendel,  the  next  line  to  the  still  earlier  exploits, 
such  as  the  swimming- match  with  Breca. 

3052  The  greatest  pains  were  taken  to  guard  against  the  violation  of 
treasure  hoards.  The  grim  story  in  Grettir  the  Strong  suggests 
the  kind  of  fear  associated  with  them. 

3121  The  last  folio,  which  begins  here,  is  much  torn.  The  worst  gaps 
are  in  lines  3150-3155,  where  it  seems  that  a  new  character  is 
introduced,  "  sio  geo-meowle,"  "  the  wife  of  old."  We  have 
heard  nothing  hitherto  of  Beowulf's  wife,  but  it  is  only  natural 
to  suppose  that  one  existed.  Possibly  she  was  Hygd. 


FINNSBURGH 

1  The  sole  authority  for  the  text  of  this  fragment  is  the  Thesaurus 
of  Dr.  George  Hickes,  Dean  of  Worcester,  the  MS.  having  long 
disappeared.  It  opens  with  "...  nas  byrnath  naefre."  Sup 
plying  "  homos  "  from  line  4,  we  get  the  end  of  a  question  or 
exclamation  "  The  gable-horns  are  never  burning."  There  is 
still  some  obscurity,  as  the  speaker  appears  to  be  inside  the  hall . 
See  my  note  on  Beowulf,  1068. 

2  The  "  battle-young  King  "  is  probably  Hengest ;  his  brother, 
Hnaef,  having  been  killed  earlier  in  the  story. 

1 6  Orlaf  and  Guthlaf  are  probably  the  Oslaf  and  Guthlaf  of  Beo 
wulf,  1 148,  who  escape  from  the  fight  and  return,  later,  to  avenge 
the  death  of  Hengest  by  slaying  Finn. 

1 8  These  difficult  lines  are,  literally.  "  Then  yet  Garulf  stirred  up 
Guthere  that  they  so  noble  (free-born)  a  life  on  the  first  journey 
to  the  hall's  doors  in  harness  bear  not,  now  that  it  one  hardy  in 
enmity  would  take."  But  whose  was  the  noble  life  ?  Hengest 's 
or  Sigeferth's  or  Garulf 's  own  ?  The  last  was,  apparently,  son  of 
Guthlaf. 

24  "  Secg  "  means  "  a  man,"  or  (Beowulf,  684)  "  a  sword."  We 
have  seen  a  tribe  of  "  Sycgs  "  twice  in  Widsith  (31  and  62), 
where  their  ruler  is  called  Saeferth.  Moller  identifies  them  with 
the  subsequent  colonists  of  Essex. 

34        Hickes  here  reads  "  Hwearflacra  hraer,"  which  is  meaningless. 

40  They  paid  Hnaef  for  their  mead  by  avenging  his  death.  But  it  is 
possible  that  the  place  of  the  fragment  is  far  earlier  in  the  story, 
during  the  first  Dalnish  attack  on  Finn,  in  which  Hnaef  is  killed. 

41  Yet  we  have  seen  that  Garulf  was  killed,  and  we  know  that  Hnaef 
was  killed  in  the  first  and  Hengest  in  the  second  fight.  Without 
the  help  of  Beowulf ,  1068-1159,  this  fragment  would  not  be  in 
telligible,  and  even  with  that  help  it  presents  several  puzzles 

124 


It  seems  to  belong  to  an  epic  of  which  the  poet  in  Beowulf  has 
summarized  part,  and  to  an  epic  more  tersely  and  vigorously 
written  than  is  the  greater  part  of  Beotuulf. 

WALDERE 

I  have  given  a  summary  of  the  story  in  my  Preface  (p.  xiv). 

The  "  Mimming  "  was  a  sword  made  by  Weland,  and  inherited 

by  his  son,  Widia  (Wittich),  whom  we  have  seen  in  Widsiih, 

124  (Wudga).  He  was  an  associate  of  Theodoric,  into  whose 

possession  this,  or  possibly  Gunther 's,  sword  seems  (36)  to  have 

passed. 

Waldere  had  just  left  the  host  of  Attila,  of  which  he  had  been  a 

captain. 

Gunther  had  been  offered  a  large  ransom  by  Waldere,  but  had 

refused  to  bargain,  preferring  to  win  the  whole  by  fighting. 

The  second  fragment  opens  in  a  speech  by  Gunther  (Guthhere) 
to  Waldere  before  their  fight. 

Widia  was  son  of  Weland,  by  Beadohild,  daughter  of  Nithhad, 
and  thus  kin  to  both  parties. 

We  have  seen  Guthhere  and  his  Burgunds  in  Widsith  (65-6), 
where  he  gives  the  poet  a  "  gladsome  jewel." 
It  is  evident  that  Waldere  has  now  fought  with  Hagena. 
Either  a  sark  or  a  helmet  ;    the   epithet  "  geapneb,"    "  wide- 
mouthed,  "suggests  the  latter  ;  but  is  glossed  "  amply  studded," 
by  Mr.  Wyatt.  Aelfhere  is  unknown,  but  Wiglaf  was  also  of  his 
kindred  (Beotoulf,  2604). 


DEOR 

i  "  Weland  him  be  wurman  wraeces  cunnade  "  is  difficult  ;  Mr. 
Wyatt  takes  it  to  mean  "  in  Wermaland,"  a  district  of  western 
Sweden.  Nithhad,  a  King  among  the  Geats,  or  South  Swedes, 
imprisoned  the  smith  Weland,  and  hamstrung  him  so  that  he 
could  not  escape  while  working  for  him.  But  Weland  made 
himself  wings,  killed  the  sons  of  Nithhad  and  violated  his  daughter 
Beadohild,  and  then  escaped. 

1 1         She  was  pregnant  with  Widia. 

13  By  transposing  lines  14  and  13  we  get  symmetrical  stanzas,  and 
better  sense  than  if  we  take  14  and  15  together.  Hilda  is  then  the 
same  as  Beadohild. 

15  "  The  Geat  "  is  Nithhad,  and  his  passion  (according  to  the 
Volundarkvitha)  is  grief  for  the  death  of  his  sons. 

18  The  MS.  reads  :  "  Theodric  held  for  thirty  winters,"  etc.  But, 
as  the  poem  deals  with  sufferings,  and  as  Theodric  is  the  classic 

125 


instance  of  an  exiled  prince,  I  have  ventured  to  assume  an  error 
in  the  text.  Yet  the  poet  may  have  been  commiserating  the 
Maerings  as  victims  of  Theodric's  rule. 

2i         See  Widsith,  9. 

2%  This,  and  the  six  following  lines,  are  condemned  as  an  inter 
polation,  which  breaks  the  symmetry  of  the  stanzas. 

36  Heoden  ruled  the  Glommas,  according  to  Widsith,  21.  In.  the 
Edda  he  carries  off  the  daughter  of  Hagena,  who  pursues  the 
pair  to  the  Island  of  Hoy,  in  Orkney.  "  They  fought  all  day,  and 
in  the  evening  the  Kings  went  to  their  ships.  But  Hild  (Hagena 's 
daughter)  went  by  night  to  the  corpses,  and  awoke  the  dead  by 
magic.  And  the  next  day  the  Kings  went  to  the  battle-field  and 
fought,  and  so  did  all  those  who  fell  the  day  before.  In  such  wise 
the  battle  continued  day  after  day  ;  so  that  all  those  who  fell, 
and  all  the  weapons  and  shields  which  lay  on  the  battle-field, 
were  turned  into  stone.  And  when  it  dawned,  all  the  dead  men 
stood  up  and  fought,  and  all  the  weapons  were  sound  ;  and  it  is 
told  in  songs  that  the  Hjathningar  shall  so  abide  till  Dooms 
day."  Heorrenda,  in  this  story,  is  Hjarrandi,  the  father  of  Hethin 
(Heoden).  In  the  High  German  poem  Kudrun  he  is  Horant,  the 
sweet  singer  of  the  court  of  Hetel,  who  sails  to  Ireland  to  win 
Hild,  daughter  of  the  Irish  King  Hagen.  His  song  "  shames  into 
silence  the  birds  singing  in  the  bushes.  Hild  is  charmed  by  it  ; 
she  cannot  rest  till  Horant  comes  to  sing  to  her  in  her  chamber 
So  Horant  sings  a  song  of  Amile  ;  the  like  of  which  was 
never  known  by  Christian  man  before  or  since,  unless  he  heard 
it  upon  the  wild  waves.  Then  he  throws  off  his  disguise  and 
woos  for  his  lord.  '  Noble  maid,  my  lord  has  in  his  court  twelve 
who  sing  far  beyond  me  ;  and  all  so  sweet  as  is  their  song,  yet 
my  lord  sings  best  of  all.'  She  consents  to  flee  with  the  wooers." 
It  is,  of  course,  possible  that  this  is  the  Hild  of  line  14,  and  that 
15  refers  to  Heoden 's  love  for  her  ;  but  why  should  he  be  a 
Geat? 

In  closing  these  notes  with  two  large  quotations  borrowed  from 
Mr.  Chambers,  I  must  again  express  in  words  a  debt  to  him 
which  is  otherwise  insoluble. 

C.  K.-S.  M. 

LONDON, 

April,  1921. 


126 


Heorogar 
61,467,2158 


THE  DANISH   KINGS 

Scef  (Sheaf) 

I    , 
Scyld  Scefing  (Shield)  .4 — 52 

I 
Beowulf  Scylding   .53 

I 
Healfdene   (Halfdane)  .57 


Hrothgar  =  Wealhtheow, 


61  &c. 


a  Helming. 
612,  &c. 


Halga     ?  the  Queen 

61  of  Onela 

\  62. 


Heoroweard      Hrethric      Hrothmund     Freawaru 
2161  1189,1836  1189  2022  wife 

of  Ingeld, 
son  of  Froda, 
a  Heathobeard 


\ 


Hrothulf 
1017,1181 


THE  GEATISH  KINGS 

Swerting  1203 

I 
Hrethel  454  Haereth  1929 


Herebeald 
»434 

\ 

1                     1 
Haethcyn           the 
2434,2923          wife 
of 
Ecgtheow 

Beowulf 
343.  etc. 

Hygelac=  Hygd  1926 
435.  &c-    1 

1 
the 
wife 
of  Eofor 
3484 

1 
Heardred 

2200  &c. 

(Numbers  refer  to  lines  in  Beowulf) 


127 


• La 


MAY  25  1962 


PR  Scott-Moncrieff,   Charles 

1583  Kenneth 

337  Widsith,  Beowulf 


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